Ask The Experts
Q. I have heard a lot about paint and primer in one lately. It sounds like a great idea but does it really work ?
A. Yes it does work but in a limited application range. Most major manufacturers make a paint and primer product and they work well over a previously painted surface when you are applying one or two coats of paint over a sound substrate.
Paint and primer are designed to do two entirely different things. Primers adhere to and seal substrates and provide a matte finish ideal for topcoat adhesion. Paint goes on thicker and provides a protective layer between the environment and the substrate. Interior drywall should always be primed, especially during a remodeling project when wallpaper has been removed. In most instances new drywall can be painted with a paint and primer in one but I recommend against that simply because of price. The paint and primer products are generally among the top lines of the manufacturers and a good drywall primer for the first coat is a lot less expensive and will perform just as well. It is always important to prime new exterior wood and masonry. Today many products come primed but generally these are shop coat primers designed to protect the product during transportation and storage and are not intended to support a topcoat. Cedar and redwood should be primed to prevent tannin acid bleed which will discolor the paint coat. New ferrous metal should be primed to prevent rust. Even galvanized metal should be primed with an acrylic metal primer to promote adhesion.
Paint and primer in one products save time and work well when used within their design specifications. But as you can see there are many circumstances when you should prime. Ask your paint supplier for his or her recommendations, do your homework and follow label directions.
Q. How do I go about preparing my deck for staining?
A. I assume your deck is stained now. I can not emphasize enough the importance of cleaning the deck.
There are several cleaning or brightening solutions on the market and they all work fairly well.
You may need to use just one of the products or both depending on the condition of your deck. The important thing is to use them. After the deck is clean and dry apply one coat of a premium stain. I recommend TWP, Penofin, Super Deck or Messmers. Each one of these products has a link from our web site to theirs. In six months apply another coat of the selected product and you should have a system that will last 18 to 24 months. Call me here at the store and I will get into details for your specific project.