Paint Protection

Painting Masonite™  Siding

Painting Masonite™ siding, several steps are involved to ensure lasting beauty and exterior paint protection dependent from your paints adhesion characteristics and local weather conditions. Depending upon where in the country you live, and what the normal humidity ratings may be, applying exterior paint under the lowest humidity ratings is always recommended. Every city in our country has a normal humidity rating, and if not sure where you live, check with your local weather forecaster. Some areas of our country may never see humidity ratings lower than 70%, such as in Houston or the Southern coast line. Relative humidity is probably the first factor people should take into consideration when painting exterior siding, as well as others listed below.

Masonite™ siding is a man-made product using wood fibers grown in the United States and abroad,  going through an extensive milling and manufacturing process. Very high quality, and dense in nature, this exterior siding product comes to home improvement stores ready to be painted, having a grayish tinted primer painted on exposed surfaces. The following steps listed will insure proper care when painting Masonite™ siding.

Exterior House Painting Tips

Cleaning Masonite™ siding

Cleaning Masonite™ siding is done normally by using a high pressure power washer having anywhere from 1500-3500 psi. Careful not to get too close with spray nozzle, as this can damage the siding. A good rule of thumb is staying away at least 6 feet with spray tip. Most of the time no ladders are needed, for higher points of the home, a “Red” solid stream tip can be used, rinsing from the top down, dirt and debris. Using a mild Eco friendly soap or detergent scrubbing on to surfaces, rinsing off using high pressure washers is recommended. Cleaning Masonite™ siding allows proper paint

adhesion once dried, and cleaning siding is like having a clean painter’s canvas to start a new oil painting. Art paintings and a home’s exterior siding are existentially the same, only on a much larger scale, and having a clean canvas or siding allows to work with a clean slate, giving way for the final painting having much more appeal, quality and integrity.

Caulking Masonite™ siding

Caulking Masonite siding should be done 24-48 hours after any cleaning has taken place. Water from power washing can get in ends of boards next to trim or at bottom edges of siding, not wishing to trap moisture, as this will diminish the life of the caulk. Once caulking opens up, the siding is subject to potential harm and deterioration, so caulking on a dry surface is at the up-most importance.  As the picture below shows, nail heads appear to have “Sunken in” possibly by the pneumatic nail guns having too high of air pressure. This is certainly not the case. What is going on is the exterior paint coating has lost it’s protection, allowing moisture to seep into nail shafts, causing Masonite™ siding to expand. Sunken nail heads is one of the first tale-tailed signs it’s time to repaint your exterior Masonite™ siding. If left unattended, these nail heads will continue to sink in because the siding is expanding like a sponge in water.

To properly fix these nail polyps or indention s, caulking is the last thing you will want to use filling them. Although the quickest, as a caulking gun dispenses caulk rather quickly, a can of exterior Spackle should be used. Spackle dries to a flat finish, and when painted, will never flash once paint ages, as caulk continues to be shinny. I’ve personally been an advocate and spokesperson having painting over 30 years, I’ve painted 1000′s and seen countless other homes having a poka-dotted look as exterior paint has aged, and caulk was used several years before filling in nail heads. Another good rule of thumb is caulk only at 90 degree angles, and not where to pieces of siding meet one another. As siding joints are staggered, no water can penetrate the wall surfaces underneath. Instead of caulking these joints, a metal sleeve can be installed during construction, never seeing these joints and edges again, allowing the ends to breath. Proper caulking of Masonite™ siding is the up-most importance, and your professional painting contractors know best.

Priming Masonite™ siding

Priming Masonite™ siding usually never needs this paint product, as it comes from the lumber mills sealed and primed. I have seen some extreme cases where the siding left unattended for many years, will need a primer coat before the final exterior paint coating. If Masonite™ siding has been neglected and nail heads appear sinking as mentioned above, the bottom edges of this siding normally appears that of a sponge, and should be sealed and primed before painting. This will also help the appearance of it from a aesthetic point of view, not to mention proper paint protection. This is why you may have seen a house getting painted, during the preparation process, looking like a scalded striped Zebra, priming Masonite siding is what is going on and needed.

Painting Masonite™ siding

Painting Masonite™ siding is the last most important thing protecting this high quality exterior sheathing lasting many years, normally the life of the home, if properly cared for. Applying the proper paint thickness paint coatings is key for the life of the paint itself. New construction normally has no requirements to the thickness of the paint, only applying enough to get by and home sold and occupied. Most paint manufactures recommend exterior paint coatings consisting of at least 9 mills dry, which wet paint coats would need 13-16 mills. This type of siding can be either brushed rolled or sprayed, knowing spraying with a cross hatch spray method, two coats wet on dry is the best for consistency and uniformity. Spraying is also more effective way keeping painting cost estimates down, not requiring near as long painting. Rolling and brushing methods take a considerable amount of time longer accomplishing, thereby costing more, as time is money, and money is time. Working from top down, side to side, if needing to stop for some reason, best to complete the entire section or side.

Exterior Painting

Exterior painting can be a daunting task, and hope this helps you painting Masonite™ siding the correct way, making all the difference in the world for your siding’s protection and lasting beauty. Proper painting techniques will insure your Masonite™ siding will stand the test of time, protecting the contents within the home, mainly You~ as Masonite™ siding is a very high quality exterior sheathing.

Hiring a professional house painting contractor in your area can save you time and money, many assist with Free in Home Paint Color Consultation. Saving  time and money with professional house painters also adds value and sense of personal exterior paint decorating, while getting the job done right the first time. Hiring an exterior painting contractor also provides the least amount of inconvenience while weatherizing and painting your home’s siding and trim, which is always a plus.

In Denver Colorado, Eco Paint, Inc., provides some of the best Denver painters, Colorado has to offer, along with these above attributes mentioned. Any painting questions can be asked and answered by some of the most informed paint contractors in the painting industry at the Painting Forum, one of the newest National Painting Forums on the Web.

Thank you for visiting the Painting Blog! If you’ve enjoyed this article, please leave a comment and or bookmarking vote above, always enjoying house painting discussions when ever we’re not too busy painting homes in Denver and Colorado.

Go Green, Paint Today and Entertain Tonight!

Related Posts

• August 20, 2010 -- Residential Exterior Painting (3)
  Residential exterior painting in Colorado requires fresh new paint several years after construction as it is imperative maintaining the outside shell of a home. With regular home improvements and repa...
• March 13, 2011 -- Denver Painters, Going Green, Painting Homes (0)
  Denver painters, painting homes using, Green Earth Friendly, sustainable paints and materials even more today, than since it's inception back in 1999-2000. This is Great News, Thanks to many Denver pa...
• August 23, 2010 -- Home Interior, Exterior Painting (4)
  No better time than now redecorating your home, having fresh new colors in or on your home. Bringing new paint colors into your home will give a fresh new sense of ownership, if you have just moved in...
• August 5, 2010 -- Painting My Home in Wheat Ridge (0)
  Your at the right place with Eco Paint, Inc. painting company. Denver's premier house painting contractor, Eco Paint, who employs only the best Denver painters, Wheat Ridge and Colorado homeowners can...
• August 5, 2010 -- Paint my Home in Westminster (0)
  Treating each house painting job as if were our very own, making Eco Paint a community favorite for over 30+ years. The acronym "Eco Paint" had a dual meaning back then as Economical as well as Enviro...

Terms Stucco and EFIS are commonly interchanged, being very similar, having common characteristics.  And information below applies to both Stucco and EFIS. EIFS is the acronym for “Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems”, Ok, with that out of the way, we can get down to business, and now we all know what the world EIFS stands for.   Thanks for dropping by, and hope you find this informational. If you like, or wish to add something, drop me a comment below! Would like to hear from you. This system employs several materials for home’s exterior surface, making a fresh new, crisp look that adds value to any property no matter where it may be located.  From 4′ X 8′ Styrofoam sheets  nailed on top of rolled out Tyvek sheathing. Styrofoam is then covered with a 8 gauge mesh screen, attached by staples to hold in place. The fun begins applying EIFS Stucco like mixture, troweling on at an even thickness.  Colorants can be added to this mixture, but not recommended, as will be explained further below in article. EIFS  adds long lasting characteristics from most any climates, which is also wind resistant. If cared for properly, this exterior substrate will last indefinitely.

Benefits Include:

• Your choice of color – EIFS can be painted with any color,  mixed at your local favorite paint store location.
• Protection from the elements – EIFS is best coated with an Elastomeric paint coating, having the ability to expand and contract 7 times it’s original size in a flat sheen appearance.
• Always looking New, and Fresh
• Long Duration to a true Stucco like texture, giving a look of Western Culture and neutral color schemes throughout the U.S.
• Can easily repair tiny cracks from settling, and will never experience wood decomposition, or peeling paint of any sort.

Important EIFS Painting Tip:

If you are building new, or having this type of exterior installed on your current home, do not add paint colorant to EFIS Stucco Mixture. Although may be less expensive in the short term, as this settles, one can easily repair tiny cracks and touch up paint if exterior was originally painted after EFIS was installed. If color additives added in Stucco Mixture, repairs will be seen as an eye-sore until complete exterior is painted, so it makes no sense to add color into EFIS Mixture.

Most people do not think of this until it’s too late, and having to re-paint for a complete and uniform look anyway, in only a short few years after settling has occurred.  Furthermore, no paint touch-ups can be done once Mixture is applied, as this can never be match properly, so a complete exterior painting job is in-store. Therefore, painting new EFIS may seem an extra step, but will add significant savings in the short term.

Painting Exterior EFIS:

• Cracks larger than 7 millimeters thick, an Elastormeric Textured caulk can be used filling all voids, leaving similar texture as rest of surface.
• Cracks smaller than 7 millimeters can be filled with a quality Elastomeric paint, as paint product is being applied.
• Application of Elastomeric paint is properly applied by a spray method and actual back roll method. Using both forms of application insures proper coverage, filling any voids such as cracks mentioned above.
• Depending on exterior surface, a test portion is recommended, as paint can change appearance, and a flat paint or Elastormeric is suggested.
• Employ a Professional Painting Contractor, having vast experience, as this is not an easy one-man weekend painting job.

Related Posts

• March 13, 2010 -- House Painting Exterior Stucco Done Right (6)
  House painting exterior Stucco correctly, several steps involved, insuring painting an exterior Stucco home will last. Providing quality and appropriate Stucco paint coatings will add a lifetime of en...
• October 8, 2010 -- Painting Masonite Siding Correctly (1)
  Painting Masonite™ siding, several steps are involved to ensure lasting beauty and exterior paint protection dependent from your paints adhesion characteristics and local weather conditions. The follo...
• August 20, 2010 -- Residential Exterior Painting (3)
  Residential exterior painting in Colorado requires fresh new paint several years after construction as it is imperative maintaining the outside shell of a home. With regular home improvements and repa...
• July 19, 2010 -- Exterior Painting Tips in Denver (3)
  Just as Sun Block is recommended for your skin, a fresh pliable elastic paint coating is recommended for your home's exterior siding and trim....
• February 10, 2010 -- House Painting Primer Tips (4)
  Whether your speaking of Interior or Exterior surfaces, proper preparations will save time and money...

Here in Denver Colorado is no different than most other parts of the country, in that exterior painted surfaces collect dust, debris, not usually seen with the naked eye. This is why it is imperative to power wash, cleaning substrate, giving fresh new paint a clean surface to bond. If pressure washing is not done, fresh new paint will trap dirt and grime underneath, impairing the paint\’s life and duration. In the painting industry, pressure cleaning is referred to as giving the painter a clean canvas to work with; comparing to Van Go.

Pressure cleaning is important as described, but just as important, it is just as important to leave exterior siding 24-48 hours before any scraping, caulking, priming is done. Even though it is 85 degrees with low humidity you ask? Well, pressure washing normally uses 2500-3000 psi at the tip, not at surface, but forcing water to clean cracks, cervices where the debris typically lies. If caulking, priming takes place the same day, moisture will be trapped underneath, again harming the life of the products used.

After exterior siding and trim have completely dried out, a scraping of any loose paint must be removed. One misnomer is using power washers to take off peeling paint. Yes, high pressure will remove paint that is currently flaking, but will not get the majority. After surfaces have dried out, a hand scraper must be used checking problem areas of exterior siding and trim. Most of the time a hollow sound can be heard if tapped on it. This paint must be scraped off, or new paint is surely to fail in record time, no matter what quality you have purchased, having exterior painting done recently.

Now areas are scrapped, it is time to spot prime bare wood. Rarely do we see complete exteriors needing priming, as siding rarely cracks, peels, and flakes off. However, if siding paint has worn down completely, complete priming is the best defense. Trim paint is the first areas to fail on exteriors, as most of the time primers were never used originally. Bare wood where old paint has been removed, is where primers are important to spot prime, usually brushed on by hand.

After priming has been accomplished, removing old caulking in necessary that is showing separation on one edge if not both. If new caulk is covered up over old which is showing separation, new long term caulk will not last near the warranty either. Using a wet or damp cloth wiping caulk bead, smooths edge, giving a nice transition at 90 degree angles from wood trim to siding.

Now the cleaning, scraping, caulking, priming, is completed, it is time to mask all areas not to receive paint, especially with a spraying method is used for the body of exterior home. Using a 3-M Drop Film normally in a 48″ width covers windows completely. Once areas are covered, it\’s time for the quickest part of the exterior painting job, actually applying the paint. Normally the preparations are 75% of the exterior painting job, with 25% is actually painting of exterior itself.

Some say brush is better than spray, and others say spraying is better than brushing. Either one is just as good as the other if applied properly. Spraying is a more frugal way of painting, not spending near as much time painting exterior, where time is money, and money is time, but still applying same amount of paint either way.

Generally most major paint suppliers including Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Kwal-Howell, Valspar, Glidden, and Behr all instruct the applicator to apply two coats wet on dry method. If brushing and rolling is used, applying two coats can be a very big job, and many shortcuts has been seen, not really applying both complete coats. A fresh new exterior painting job should have at least 10-13 mills thick of dried paint. Painting two coats wet on dry does not mean one coat one day, and the other coat the next. Once paint has dried to touch a second coat can be applied. The warmer the day, the faster the paint will dry to the touch, which can be top-coated building that 10-13 mills. Also noting that hanging 6-7 mills wet is not a problem with premium exterior paint, premium paints having heavier viscosity.  Other less quality paints can sag, run, or drip with far less PVC’s in material.

Winter months are much slower for exterior painting in the Denver Colorado area, as it is generally not on the forefront of most minds as in Spring times. However having warm dry days with temperatures reaching in the high 50\’s low 60\’s, exterior painting can be accomplished with the qualities still present. Days are shorter, so several steps are taken to ensure there is no paint failure during these cooler months. First, we use low temp. exterior paints that dry at lower temperatures, down to 35 degrees. Also in the winter months we start painting on the East side, following the sun, making sure exterior paint dries properly before the sun goes down. On the same note, we stop painting around 2:30 pm each day, so that the paint can cure before temps. start dropping in the later evening. Working with shorter days and cooler temperatures means for taking a bit longer for exterior painting, but we still warranty our work just the same, taking additional steps.

So whether home is just getting listed to sell, giving that superb curb appeal, or just recently purchased, putting that individual signature on your newly purchased home, or just wanting added protection to the exterior, exterior painting is done year around in Denver Colorado and Front Range Areas.

For more info. see us at

www.paintingdenver.net
www.ecopaintspecialists.com
www.paintingexterior.net
www.paintinginterior.net

Eco Paint Specialist\’s Inc.
–
Oldest Painting Company, based in Aurora, Painting the Front Range of Denver Colorado.

Related Posts

• August 1, 2010 -- Painting my Home in Colorado Springs (0)
  You've landed at the right place with Eco Paint, Inc. painting company. Denver's leading house painting contractor, Cal Phillips & Eco Paint, who employs only the best Denver painters, Denver and Colo...
• July 31, 2010 -- Painting my Home in Castle Rock (0)
  You've landed at the right place with Eco Paint, Inc. painting company. Denver's leading house painting contractor, Cal Phillips & Eco Paint, who employs only the best Denver painters, Denver and Cast...
• July 30, 2010 -- Paint my House in Lakewood Colorado (0)
  Denver's premier house painting contractor, Cal Phillips & Eco Paint, who employs only the best Denver painters, Denver and Lakewood Colorado homeowners can choose. ...
• July 29, 2010 -- Paint my Home in Englewood Colorado (0)
  Treating each house painting job as if were our very own, making Eco Paint a community favorite for over 30 years. Always saving money where we can, the acronym "Eco Paint", invented by Cal Phillips b...
• July 1, 2010 -- House Painting Services (0)
  Eco Paint, Inc. Leading Colorado Contractor Colorado House Painters Serving Colorful State of Colorado Following Colorado cities served by Eco Paint, Inc. Leading Colorado Painting Contract...