For years our only choice in paint for our homes was benjamin Moore, but now the HOA has given us the choice between Benjamin Moore and Valspar Severe Weather. The Valspar is significantly cheaper (5 gallons of Valspar = 2.5 gallons of BM), but is it as good? Also, would you all say that there is a better paint out there than the two they are "allowing" us to use (because to be quite honest, they will never know if we use one paint over another). Thanks for your responses.

Carl, I'm a professional painter and a big fan of Consumer Reports. Depending on the location, condition, and age of your home, here is what I would do: For any wood except decks: Make sure you are painting over a paint and not a solid color stain. Ok

       Pressure wash clean of all dirt and mildew, or wash and clean by hand. Let dry a few days.

      Scrape, sand smooth, clean it off with gas blower or wipe it down

      Prime it with a good exterior oil base primer! Exterior latex primers do not work, period! Caulk where necessary with an excellent paintable acrylic or urethane caulking. And don't make a mess.

       Paint 2 coats with the BEST manufacturer's BEST 100% acrylic latex paint they sell in your area. Make sure the sheen i.e flat,satin, semigloss match all their (HOA) specs. Follow all manufacturers directions and your job will last 10 years. Painting is tedious. You have to have a lot of patience. As you can read, you will visit every spot on your job 5,6,7 times. Too bad, it has to be or call a pro and don't bitch when he gives you the price. This is the gig for exterior painting. Trust me, looking back, I wish i would of listened to G'ma,  taken up her offer, and gone to Ohio State for 4 years. Oh,well. Next life I'll know better! LOL

Hi,


Thanks Robert for your great tips!

I had a question. I am choosing exterior paint for some great wooden windows that are good shape and I wish to keep them in that condition.

I am having a hard time in finding excellent exterior paint for my windows. Pittsburgh Manor Hall Timeless is very hard to get here in Quebec. SW Duron is easy to get but very expensive $ 65.00 gallon and Benjamin Moore Collection 096 Exterior Acrylic Latex Soft Gloss Enamel is easy to get at around $ 45.00 a gallon.

I read on some painters forum that the absolut best is Pittsburgh Manor Hall Timeless.
Do you think that is true?

Does CIL Dulux rank as good like the other ones mentioned above?

Is Zinsser Oil Cover-Stain a good primer for exterior wooden windows?


Thanks for your time,

Mario

Mario, sherwin-williams exterior oil primer is excellent. So is valspar's(Lowes). Like I said, anybody's best stuff, as long as it is 100% acrylic latex, you will be fine. 1 primer coat and 2 topcoats. good luck, Robert

Hi Robert:

I just read your comment written in 5/08 of how to go about painting the exterior. I am in the process of bidding out the painting of my exterior trim which is now painted with latex. After prep, could I prime with an oil based primer on top of the previuos latex prior to putting  the two coats of latex. Any recommendations on primers and paints (in satin finish)?

Thanks for your help,

Fred