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Sealants and caulkings
Many of the problems attributed to a sealant failure are
actually caused by the condition of the surface before the
product is applied or by incorrect use of the product. These
problems sometimes appear when the product is applied but
generally show up much later. For example, when temperature
or humidity conditions change and the materials undergo
changes in size. People then say that "the house is
working." This is why we emphasize the importance of surface
preparation.
Masking knots before painting
Knots in finished wood will appear sooner or later after
painting. Before painting, seal the knots with a lacquer. It
is the only liquid sealant that will efficiently seal in
knot resin, without discoloring the finishing paint.
Painting, varnishing, staining, oiling, waxing
The difference between varnish and other wood protectors,
with the exception of paint, is that they create a film over
the surface and waterproof it. Better protected and
washable, this surface will tend to flake on outside walls
which are more exposed to humidity and temperature
variations. Therefore, you must scrape, sand and repaint
more often than not. Choose a quality product that does not
film the surface (water-resistant sealant, Cetol,
penetrating stain, etc.). A few brushstrokes after a hose
rinse every four or five years and that's it.
Sealing uni-stone driveways
After cleaning your uni-stones, or any other Permacon type
driveway covering, with a degreaser or a similar product,
rinse and allow to dry completely. Apply your first sealer
coat as thinly as possible. After this coat dries
completely, apply a second coat of a normal thickness.
Hiding moving cracks
Add a bit of latex acrylic silicone sealer to your plaster
or joint compound and you will have a material that is much
more resistant to the movement of walls and ceilings that
can shift slightly. The latex acrylic's flexibility gives
new properties to plaster that will be less likely to crack.
Although it may be a bit harder to apply, the mixture is
very effective against recurring cracks.
Sealing a joint with masking tape
To get a straight, even caulked joint, lay down parallel
strips of masking tape to surface A and B, leaving a space
between the strips for the sealer. Apply the caulking in one
continuous pass, wet your finger in soapy water and use it
to smooth the joint. Remove the tape as soon as possible
after having thinned out the caulking at the edges.
Painting over primer made easier
To make an indoor wall much easier to paint, simply apply a
coat of sealer primer after a light sanding. The surface
will be even, smooth and much easier to paint. As well,
you'll get a chance to find new flaws and repair them if
necessary. |
