Painting the House

[JohnDB]

So to remind those not following the ongoing saga of a broken down retired man....
I bought a 130 year old Queen Ann Victorian house. It's had more than its share of "Bubbas" and DIYers over the years.

It's held together though because of them.

But I got the roof repairs mostly finished. However the heat of the summer is stopping me from finishing. (Add 20-30⁰ to the outside temp and it becomes impossible to work up there)

So I've switched to the paint prep.
And it's going to be extremely extensive. Rotten moldings and various lap sidings. (How many lap sidings are there? I have 4 obvious different ones on one side alone....yes, going to make the new look like the original)

So....pressure washer shows up sometime next week. (I got a beast....4400 psi)

I got grinder and sanders and paint scrapers ready to go. (Yes, vacuum systems, respirators, and tarps for the lead paint)

Now shopping for sprayers....
Looks like a Graco Pro X19 is gonna be the nut. (Plus 100 ft of hose) and about 3 to 5 guns with tips....9 different colors not including primer)

Going to be working in small sections at a time. (I'm old, got bad legs, and arthritic hands....and my body keeps telling me that it can't cash those checks my mind keeps writing) But not to fear....those small sections are really easy to create with a Victorian this old. 3500 Sq ft.

The back deck....that's a whole nudder thing. It was jacklegged into existence.
It should have been a Romanesque style deck complete with a flat roof and planters and benches for "railings". Lots of Columns and a barbeque/kitchen area with a chimney....maybe even a pizza oven. (We'll see) Definitely need a ramp for old folks (like me) that have issues walking and for deliveries.
But in the meantime I'll have to rip out that tin roof so I can add 4 feet to the exterior walls and less (dunno really untill i demo) to the inside walls to support the new roof over the infamous former back porch.

But in the meantime....
Paint sprayer shopping.....(looking like close to $1k for the thing....ugggghhhh).

Oh, hire a pro you say?
Pro painters (all are alcoholics) are expensive...and won't touch Victorians because of the multitude of colors required, lead paints, and the many intricate moldings and trim. If they do....don't expect more than 3 colors and they won't do carpentry while charging 3x the customary price for painting.

Just saying....

 

[John Edgar Slow Horses]

My wife had me on a ten year painting kick.

Better you than me.

 

[JohnDB]

My wife had me on a ten year painting kick.

Better you than me.

From seeing airless sprayers in action and watching their performance....

Rollers and brushing are crap by far comparison.

50 years ago my father rented one to try to paint our house. It was a disaster. The hoses were full of dried bits of paint and the sprayer clogged constantly. It was much faster to use rollers than use that thing.

I figured if I own it and can manage the cleanup myself....I can stop those sorts of issues.

A high pressure airless is what I need.
Looking at a Graco Pro X19. Maybe a bit much....but I've also got indoors to do after outside. Then the fencing....

Then who knows....I got a LOT of family who probably will borrow it at some time.

But....yeah....my house is huge with MANY different surfaces including lap siding, cedar shake, and intricate moldings.

It's gonna take weeks to prepare an area and a day to paint it.

The latex paint is still peeling but the oil based lead paints are like plaster. (Hard and turns to dust)
It appears to have 5 layers of paint everywhere. Needing new moldings and some wood putty. The cedar working shutters are definitely going to take some work.

Lots of PPE, glasses, respirators and etc while chipping, scraping, sanding, grinding....

Then comes cleanup and then replacing boards, trim, and etc....then caulk. Then priming.....then taping and paper/plastic.

Then painting. (Only 10 minute job after weeks of prep) then swapping colors (cleanup) more taping and paper....then painting....rinse and repeat about 9 times.

 

[John Edgar Slow Horses]

The best to you.

 

[JohnDB]

The saga is ongoing....

Ok, so I ordered a pressure washer and some other tools to begin the paint grinding process. (Lead paint abatement is a PITA)

HOWEVER....
Everything BUT the pressure washer came in. So I called the shipping company and they tracked it to where I wanted it shipped to (TSC) and told me who signed for it. LAST FRIDAY.
So I've been in the store several times since, asking about it and gotten blank looks.

So when I called them this morning I told them when it had been delivered and who signed for it. Low and behold they "found it".

Since this thing weighs almost 200 lbs (176) I want to pick it up using my trailer with the ramp and a dolly.

So I locate my straps and drive my truck to my trailer just to see that I can't see it. A tree had fallen on it last night creating a widowmaker on top of my trailer.
Trailer looks fine but I ain't getting it out without first cutting up the tree.

I've been intending on getting a chainsaw for those trees....now I have to go by and purchase one so I can get back to the store to pick up the washer.

Yep.....first world problems.

 

[odanny]

So I locate my straps and drive my truck to my trailer just to see that I can't see it. A tree had fallen on it last night creating a widowmaker on top of my trailer.
Trailer looks fine but I ain't getting it out without first cutting up the tree.

I've been intending on getting a chainsaw for those trees....now I have to go by and purchase one so I can get back to the store to pick up the washer.

Yep.....first world problems.

On the bright side, the tree did not hit your truck, which would have really messed up your timeline. That would require an extensive search for another one. Even if you lost the trailer, easy to find another one.

It's always something. I'm redoing my kitchen, and running a table saw in my garage. A couple days after starting the lights flicker and go dark. I knew that was not good, and immediately thought I fried the hot line, so I ran into the house and saw the breaker never popped. I knew what that meant for a detached garage: Digging a 30 foot long trench to bury the new line, and finding an electrician for an upgrade of my existing setup.

Digging a narrow trench involved filling a 5 gal. bucket with tree roots to get down 16", and of course, this all kicked off with a hot and humid heatwave that stuck around for a couple of weeks. It's always something. It sure is nice when you finish though.

 

[JohnDB]

Well,

Got the tree mostly down. At least the part on the trailer.
And due to my rigging....I didn't lose so much as a tail light. I kept it tied up so it wouldn't fall and SLOWLY cut and dismantled the tree. (One of those Carolina cherry trees. Deemed to be an invasive species)

I also got a 1T chain hoist on my sprayer and floated it off my truck bed. Then drove the truck out and then let it down to the ground.

Then came inside because it's hot out there.
(Where I'm at now)
When I finish this Gatorade, gonna haul the branches up to the street and chop up and fell the rest of that POS tree.

The trunk will be firewood for this winter. Not as good as oak...but it will do.

Then see about unboxing and moving my washer so I can put my lawnmower up....moving my trailer so I can load the lawnmower up and use it tomorrow. (Dad's and my place).

The new Husqvarna rancher 450 saw is nice. Cuts like butter with no bogging down. I likely will get a bigger bar and chain for it. (Can handle it with ease) But....here's the kicker. My day....uggghhhh.
I have the premixed gas (running low but not out) that's good for the saw. I THOUGHT I had bar/chain oil....leftover from borrowing a neighbors saw and my Father-in-law's electric. Knew right where it was on the shelf in my barn. NOPE.
Another trip out but this time practically in walking distance.
But it's just getting annoying.

So....
One more trip out....in all my haste and everything going wrong. I forgot pool bleach for the pressure washing. Got TSP, upsized rubber garden hose (true ¾" and not a ⅝ wannabe ¾ garden hose) and everything else I need....extra pressure hose for washer, the swirly tip that rotates the fine high pressure, ethanol free gas, the soap tip SHOULD be in the crate with the washer (as well as siphon tube for the soap...dont want a foam cannon....thats for cars)

So.....MAYBE by Saturday I can pressure wash and by Monday I can start grinding off paint. Maybe

 

[Dekster]

So to remind those not following the ongoing saga of a broken down retired man....
I bought a 130 year old Queen Ann Victorian house. It's had more than its share of "Bubbas" and DIYers over the years.

It's held together though because of them.

But I got the roof repairs mostly finished. However the heat of the summer is stopping me from finishing. (Add 20-30⁰ to the outside temp and it becomes impossible to work up there)

So I've switched to the paint prep.
And it's going to be extremely extensive. Rotten moldings and various lap sidings. (How many lap sidings are there? I have 4 obvious different ones on one side alone....yes, going to make the new look like the original)

So....pressure washer shows up sometime next week. (I got a beast....4400 psi)

I got grinder and sanders and paint scrapers ready to go. (Yes, vacuum systems, respirators, and tarps for the lead paint)

Now shopping for sprayers....
Looks like a Graco Pro X19 is gonna be the nut. (Plus 100 ft of hose) and about 3 to 5 guns with tips....9 different colors not including primer)

Going to be working in small sections at a time. (I'm old, got bad legs, and arthritic hands....and my body keeps telling me that it can't cash those checks my mind keeps writing) But not to fear....those small sections are really easy to create with a Victorian this old. 3500 Sq ft.

The back deck....that's a whole nudder thing. It was jacklegged into existence.
It should have been a Romanesque style deck complete with a flat roof and planters and benches for "railings". Lots of Columns and a barbeque/kitchen area with a chimney....maybe even a pizza oven. (We'll see) Definitely need a ramp for old folks (like me) that have issues walking and for deliveries.
But in the meantime I'll have to rip out that tin roof so I can add 4 feet to the exterior walls and less (dunno really untill i demo) to the inside walls to support the new roof over the infamous former back porch.

But in the meantime....
Paint sprayer shopping.....(looking like close to $1k for the thing....ugggghhhh).

Oh, hire a pro you say?
Pro painters (all are alcoholics) are expensive...and won't touch Victorians because of the multitude of colors required, lead paints, and the many intricate moldings and trim. If they do....don't expect more than 3 colors and they won't do carpentry while charging 3x the customary price for painting.

Just saying....

Add on a Historical Commission to micromanage every aspect of it and you know why nobody wants those old houses in our city anymore.

 

[JohnDB]

Add on a Historical Commission to micromanage every aspect of it and you know why nobody wants those old houses in our city anymore.

Well....
I'm not in one of them cities. I'm just off the square in a tiny town out in the middle of nowhere. Nobody even knows we exist. There is no one famous or any historical sites within 45 minutes of our house or town. Most people don't even know we exist. And I kinda like it that way.


The tree? Full of carpenter ants. So no firewood out of this one. I got most of it cut up and taken up to the street....but I'm tired. Didn't even unbox my washer today. (Insert more salty language here)

Tomorrow got two lawns to mow first.

Then finish cutting up the trunk and hauling it. Then a trip to get pool bleach and pre mixed gas. (Used a lot in the saw)

Then maybe.....I can unbox my washer.

 

[Dekster]

W

Well....
I'm not in one of them cities. I'm just off the square in a tiny town out in the middle of nowhere. Nobody even knows we exist. There is no one famous or any historical sites within 45 minutes of our house or town. Most people don't even know we exist. And I kinda like it that way.


The tree? Full of carpenter ants. So no firewood out of this one. I got most of it cut up and taken up to the street....but I'm tired. Didn't even unbox my washer today. (Insert more salty language here)

Tomorrow got two lawns to mow first.

Then finish cutting up the trunk and hauling it. Then a trip to get pool bleach and pre mixed gas. (Used a lot in the saw)

Then maybe.....I can unbox my washer.

Well don't funk up all your clothes if you can't wash them yet

 

[JohnDB]

Today I fired up the washer.

Ran out the 200' of garden hose. Uggghhhh....heavy!
Run the pressure washer up to the side of the house from the "back 40" behind the carport. Mixed up some housewash.
½ C TSP
1qt pool bleach/chlorinator (cheap stuff is great)
1 qt of water

Put the soap line into a bucket with the housewash.

Pulled up my saw horses and put the shutters on them.

Fired up the washer and away we went.
First with the soap tip and hosed everything down well.

Turned it off and gave it a few minutes.
Cranked up the pressure.

Then turned it back on and started blasting.

Let me just say....
I gave my arms a workout.
4400 psi @4 gallons per minute is a BEAST. Hands went numb from blood loss. You have to keep pushing on it like push-ups....it's got some kickback.

But it did a great job at blasting off dirt and old paint . Then I went and blasted my concrete stairs....then the sidewalk that my driveway crosses. It's a beast that takes off everything.

Caution is needed though and I exercised plenty. @4400 psi water WILL:
Cut concrete, limbs, shoes, or whatever you put in it's path.
Things go flying when that kind of pressure is applied. I wore safety glasses and steel toe boots (composite toe)

Harsh chemicals getting sprayed is also no joke and these are some harsh chemicals. Wear rubber gloves and goggles. (Hats too if you don't want your hair bleached) Of course wear old clothes you care NOTHING about....they will develop holes and bleach spots afterwards.

But lots of paint went flying....

So now we wait for it to all dry out. And come Monday I will begin to grind off the paint. (Lead paint; so respirators, vacuum systems, and safety glasses and dew rag.

 

[1srelluc]

Old houses have lots of old and expensive/labor intensive problems.

When you finally get it done, you die, because "done" never happens.

 

[JohnDB]

Old houses have lots of old and expensive/labor intensive problems.

When you finally get it done, you die, because "done" never happens.

Well, I was thinking of at least obtaining some sort of stasis....
This house hasn't had any maintenance for 10-15 years...
And what had been done was done by "Bubba".

So....I'm gonna do some real repairs, redo others completely...and then it will hold for a while.

 

[JohnDB]

I've gotten a real workout from scraping shutter slats.
The shutters are actually working shutters. Made in the late 1800's out of cedar and cut nails. There are at least 6 if not 7 layers of paint....and no one had ever stripped or sanded them before painting. There's a point in the layers where the latex paint starts vx the old oil based lead paints.

So I'm trying to peel off the latex then grind off the lead paint.
Then I'll need some putty/patch to fill the holes and wear spots.

It's annoying.

BUT
Today I've had to take off for eye doctor appointments. So while I'm in civilization I'm gonna stop off at Home Despot and pick up a paint sprayer that's $150 cheaper than regular price. Awesome sauce all over that cherry.

My big question....
These shutters are either all put on the house upside down or am I not understanding working shutters. Doesn't the stick fit in the slot that should be on the bottom....or is the slot supposed to be up top?

 

[JohnDB]

Scored today big time.
I grabbed the graco magnum pro x19 for a $150 discount. Making it a cheaper price than the x17.

Yep....unregistered and unadvertised sales rock.

Graco comtrolls the retail price of its sprayers and all its accessories. And considering that it's also responsible for the wholesale price too....that doesn't make a lot of sense.

Oh well, I'll take the win and keep running. I probably won't need the sprayer till next week or the week after. But I still was going to need it.

 

[Paladen Danse]

So to remind those not following the ongoing saga of a broken down retired man....
I bought a 130 year old Queen Ann Victorian house. It's had more than its share of "Bubbas" and DIYers over the years.

It's held together though because of them.

But I got the roof repairs mostly finished. However the heat of the summer is stopping me from finishing. (Add 20-30⁰ to the outside temp and it becomes impossible to work up there)

So I've switched to the paint prep.
And it's going to be extremely extensive. Rotten moldings and various lap sidings. (How many lap sidings are there? I have 4 obvious different ones on one side alone....yes, going to make the new look like the original)

So....pressure washer shows up sometime next week. (I got a beast....4400 psi)

I got grinder and sanders and paint scrapers ready to go. (Yes, vacuum systems, respirators, and tarps for the lead paint)

Now shopping for sprayers....
Looks like a Graco Pro X19 is gonna be the nut. (Plus 100 ft of hose) and about 3 to 5 guns with tips....9 different colors not including primer)

Going to be working in small sections at a time. (I'm old, got bad legs, and arthritic hands....and my body keeps telling me that it can't cash those checks my mind keeps writing) But not to fear....those small sections are really easy to create with a Victorian this old. 3500 Sq ft.

The back deck....that's a whole nudder thing. It was jacklegged into existence.
It should have been a Romanesque style deck complete with a flat roof and planters and benches for "railings". Lots of Columns and a barbeque/kitchen area with a chimney....maybe even a pizza oven. (We'll see) Definitely need a ramp for old folks (like me) that have issues walking and for deliveries.
But in the meantime I'll have to rip out that tin roof so I can add 4 feet to the exterior walls and less (dunno really untill i demo) to the inside walls to support the new roof over the infamous former back porch.

But in the meantime....
Paint sprayer shopping.....(looking like close to $1k for the thing....ugggghhhh).

Oh, hire a pro you say?
Pro painters (all are alcoholics) are expensive...and won't touch Victorians because of the multitude of colors required, lead paints, and the many intricate moldings and trim. If they do....don't expect more than 3 colors and they won't do carpentry while charging 3x the customary price for painting.

Just saying....

Ouch. I don't drink. Your plan is solid. If it were me, I would put a good bit of time and effort into sealing up places you don't want paint. Evennbeing careful, you will get over spray on some things you don't want it. When you get your sprayer, maybe look at the longer tube for the gun. It helps with some of the ladder work. Also, one of those tips that swivel are really nice to. I would also have a can or 10 of wasp spray too. Thank, have a good evening.

 

[JohnDB]

Ouch. I don't drink. Your plan is solid. If it were me, I would put a good bit of time and effort into sealing up places you don't want paint. Evennbeing careful, you will get over spray on some things you don't want it. When you get your sprayer, maybe look at the longer tube for the gun. It helps with some of the ladder work. Also, one of those tips that swivel are really nice to. I would also have a can or 10 of wasp spray too. Thank, have a good evening.

I got the Graco Magnum pro x19....
Got a sweetheart deal on it as brand new....cheaper than what Graco wants it sold for. I just got it and haven't unboxed it or gotten any attachments or extra spray nozzles.

I'm still working on the working shutters and hinges. I tried sanding....messy and takes a lot of work.
So I'm trying some citrus strip. (Runs about $50/gallon as do most strippers on the shelf)
It's got a second soaking going currently....I'll scrape it again tomorrow. But it's easier than dealing with all the lead paint dust....kinda.

Once I can get past the 6-foot shutters....then it's gingerbread city of sanding scraping all those intricate trims. Then tape, paper, and seal up.....

Then....finally I get to prime then paint a section to see if we like the colors.

And where you might not drink....I've only met two painters that didn't drink....one was a recovering alcoholic on the straight and narrow.
So as far as alcohol consumption you are an oddity.

 

[ReinyDays]

If you're retired ... I suggest brushing the paint on at your leisure ...

Are you running an oil-based primer through your spray rig first, then a water-based top coat? ... are you trying to finish in one coat, or do you plan two or three? ... my goal was always 250 sq ft per gallon, even though the paint can says it'll cover 400 ...

I like my exterior paint thick ... lasts much longer ... paint is cheap, labor is expensive ... and yes, paint can openers come with beer bottle openers on the other side ...

 

[JohnDB]

If you're retired ... I suggest brushing the paint on at your leisure ...

Are you running an oil-based primer through your spray rig first, then a water-based top coat? ... are you trying to finish in one coat, or do you plan two or three? ... my goal was always 250 sq ft per gallon, even though the paint can says it'll cover 400 ...

I like my exterior paint thick ... lasts much longer ... paint is cheap, labor is expensive ... and yes, paint can openers come with beer bottle openers on the other side ...

Actually,
A combination.

I'm unsure about the primer....I picked up a gallon that helps seal paint remaining and smoothing out rough sections from Sherwin Williams. (Using the sprayer)
Then some sections will be sprayed and others hand brushed due to the detail work involved.

This is a Queen Ann Victorian complete with turrets and lots of moldings. So we have a slate of 8 colors to be used in various locations for various trims and existing finishes.

The 2" bead boards (looking similar to tongue and groove flooring boards) that is on the exterior will get a different color than the finish boards that frame it. The gingerbread will get 3 colors (white pickets of course) but that will require hand brushing.
It's all going to require more than just paint scraping. I'm going to have to sand and remove rotten or weathered pieces to get any sort of adhesion from the primer. Paint doesn't stick well to weathered wood. Not even oil based primers. (They really don't sell much in the way of oil based primers anymore anyway due to the cleanup process....with exception for linseed oil which does require 3-4 coats minimum and is really really expensive and takes forever to dry)

Which is part of the reason why the exterior is in such rough shape.

Last time the house was painted it received very very minimal prep. Zero sanding....minimal scraping. Just old paint glued down with new paint. Not much in the way of primer or caulk either (except in a few locations)

The antique windows with their imperfect glass were also painted by sloppy prep. The glazing is crumbling and held together by the latex paint. (They are not replaceable....they are also the source of window ghosts so they will remain after repairs)

 

[ReinyDays]

Actually,
A combination.

I'm unsure about the primer....I picked up a gallon that helps seal paint remaining and smoothing out rough sections from Sherwin Williams. (Using the sprayer)
Then some sections will be sprayed and others hand brushed due to the detail work involved.

This is a Queen Ann Victorian complete with turrets and lots of moldings. So we have a slate of 8 colors to be used in various locations for various trims and existing finishes.

The 2" bead boards (looking similar to tongue and groove flooring boards) that is on the exterior will get a different color than the finish boards that frame it. The gingerbread will get 3 colors (white pickets of course) but that will require hand brushing.
It's all going to require more than just paint scraping. I'm going to have to sand and remove rotten or weathered pieces to get any sort of adhesion from the primer. Paint doesn't stick well to weathered wood. Not even oil based primers. (They really don't sell much in the way of oil based primers anymore anyway due to the cleanup process....with exception for linseed oil which does require 3-4 coats minimum and is really really expensive and takes forever to dry)

Which is part of the reason why the exterior is in such rough shape.

Last time the house was painted it received very very minimal prep. Zero sanding....minimal scraping. Just old paint glued down with new paint. Not much in the way of primer or caulk either (except in a few locations)

The antique windows with their imperfect glass were also painted by sloppy prep. The glazing is crumbling and held together by the latex paint. (They are not replaceable....they are also the source of window ghosts so they will remain after repairs)

I took a sharp putty knife to every square inch ... if I couldn't get the old paint off, I left it ... the only repairs were to the cornice where it butted up to the lower roof eaves ... so in that I got lucky ...

The Historical Commission shot down my 28 color scheme ... I wanted to simulate the Mid-Elizabethian Era common in the Panhandle neighbor of San Francisco (aka Height/Ashbury) ... but they said that wasn't representative of the local polices nor was it painted that way originally ... closed minded is what I say ... c'mon, man, psychedelia is as Victorian as apple pie, Chevrolet and drinking rye whiskey ...

The main difference is I'm done ... and you're not ... although I'm still repairing the antique windows ... and I brushed everything on ... oil primer, good quality chalking and latex enamel top-coat ... my philosophy is if I'm not constantly going back cleaning up runs, I'm thinning the paint out too much ...

Inside is a completely different story ... there was a fire you see ...