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Before you wallpaper painted surfaces, figure out what kind of paint you’ve got and what shape it’s in. In general, oil-based paints are stable surfaces for wallcovering because they aren’t water solu­ble. Yet some primer-sealers can stabilize even latex paint. You could scrape off a small patch of paint and have a paint store analyze […]

Surface prep determines how well coverings adhere, hence how good the job looks and how long it lasts. Ideally, surfaces should be clean, dry, flat, and stable. Before hanging wallcoverings, assess existing surfaces; remove, replace, or repair them as necessary; and then prime and seal them. Sealing surfaces improves adhesion and, just as important, allows […]

Wallpaper, actual paper, is most appropriate for historically accurate restoration and wherever you want fine detail. Although vinyl coverings are increasingly hard to distinguish from paper, vinyls tend to look glossier. Although paper may have an aesthetically pleasing flat finish, it is more vulnerable to grime and abuse. Vinyl is today’s workhorse, available in a […]

Prep work done, it’s almost time to paint. Even if you’ve read this entire chapter, you might want to scan it one last time for tips about paint quality, tools, basic techniques, spray-painting, and so on. Here’s a quick review of factors mentioned in greater detail earlier in this chapter: Regarding exterior coatings, the more […]

Exterior paint jobs can last 10 years or more if you’re fastidious about prep work and attentive to water-related building details. Key factors include proper flashing of windows, doors, and roof junctures; maintaining gutter systems; caulking gaps in exterior siding; and adequately venting excess moisture from interior spaces. WHY PAINT FAILS Before you sand or […]

There should be a Ph. D. in stains. There are all-pigment stains that won’t fade (a good choice for window trim), water — and oil-based stains, liquid stains, penetrat­ing stains that both stain and seal, and gel stains that won’t run on vertical surfaces. Plus, there are wood conditioners, sanding sealers, presealers, and a plethora […]

As you paint, be methodical so you won’t need to touch up missed areas. Paint top to bottom: Do ceilings, walls, trim and baseboards before doing doors and windows. Paint back to front: Many painters go to the deepest recess of a room— often, a closet—and work methodically toward a door. Paint inside to out: […]

Primers bond to substrates and provide a sta­ble base for finish coats. Thus it’s wise to prime previously painted surfaces in the following situations: ► You’re switching paint types—say, apply­ing latex over oil-based. ► The old paint is flaking, chalking, stained, or otherwise in bad shape. ► The old paint is glossy and thus would […]

The information in this section is generally true for all spray applications. You’ll find other sug­gestions later in this chapter. Wear a respirator mask with two replaceable organic-vapor filters. If you’re spray-painting exteriors, a half-face mask should be adequate. For interiors, where paint concentrations build up quickly, wear a full-face respirator mask. Never touch a […]

The pros work steadily and methodically and note what works and what doesn’t. The following tips will help you keep the job moving and get great results. Acclimate a new brush. Stand a new brush in 1 in. of oil-based paint for 5 minutes. After absorbing a bit of paint, the new bristles will release […]