HOME & Style Painting
Continued from previous page “And they remain flexible, so they can
expand and contract with changing tem- peratures. These attributes help top quali- ty paints resist peeling and flaking, which adds to the life expectancy of the paint job.” Top quality 100 per cent acrylic latex paints typically last 10 years or more, compared to three or four years for lower quality coatings, according to Zimmer. So, they are a much better value in terms of cost per year of service — no small con- sideration in these trying economic times.
3. Use quality brushes and equip- ment. For the best results when applying top quality paint, use quality brushes and ac- cessories, says Zimmer. “Better quality equipment makes the work easier and helps apply the paint in a thicker, more uniform coat for a better-looking paint job.”
She advises homeowners to choose brushes that are well-balanced and
springy, with multiple lengths of split bris- tles packed tightly in a 3/4- to 1-inch thickness on a standard 4-inch brush. When working with latex paints, it’s im-
portant to use brushes with synthetic bristles —ideally, polyester. According to Zimmer, polyester bristles will hold their shape and maintain the proper stiffness regardless of the amount of water they encounter.
4. Paint in the right weather condi- tions.
After you have your quality paint and tools in hand, choose the right type of day to apply the paint. Doing so will en- able the paint to form a tough, durable, protective film. Zimmer says it’s best to do exterior painting in mild weather, ideally when temperatures are above 50 degrees F, and when the wind isn’t strong. On very hot days, try to avoid painting in direct sunshine, since surfaces sitting in direct sun can be 10 to 20 degrees hot- ter than the air temperature.One way to cope with this and still keep the job mov- ing is to paint on the shady side of the house. The four rules for perfect painting in-
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volve a lot of common sense and take a little self-discipline. But, if you follow them, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful, professional-looking paint job that will last for years.
For more advice on paints and paint-
ing,visit the Web site of the Paint Quality Institute at
paintquality.com.
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