THE PAINTING JOURNAL
From the first brush to the final walkthrough. Practical answers for homes, workplaces and the people who paint them.
Start with common questions
110 articles · page 4 of 10
Do not choose a darker vinyl-siding color by appearance alone. Verify the siding manufacturer’s repainting guidance, the exact coating and an approved color formula. Some coating systems offer…
Read guideA chalky aluminum-siding repaint starts by removing loose surface residue and identifying what remains beneath it. Sound factory coating, bare aluminum and failing old paint are different…
Read guideGalvanized steel has a zinc coating that must be considered when selecting paint. DTM means direct to metal within a product’s approved uses; it does not mean direct to every metal in any…
Read guideUse the door model’s finishing instructions before applying general trim-painting advice. Fiberglass skins, factory finishes, glass frames and door edges can have different requirements. Some…
Read guideWhen an addition turns an exterior brick wall into an interior feature, check its condition and coating history before choosing paint. The wall may still have moisture sources, salts, old…
Read guideDo not add Floetrol, water or another modifier to trim paint simply because brush marks are visible. First check the applicator, loading, surface condition and working time. Then read the exact…
Read guideChoose sanding grit for the material and the task, not simply because the next step is painting. Cleaning, removing a ridge, dulling a sound glossy coating and smoothing between coats require…
Read guideTape can tear the paint film at its edge, but paint lifting well beyond the tape can also expose weak adhesion below. Stop pulling when the damage expands, record the tape and paint products,…
Read guideFresh paint bubbles need observation and investigation before another coat. Record when they appeared and whether they remain after the product's drying period. Persistent blisters can involve a…
Read guideBubbles on the opposite side of a shower deserve a moisture investigation before cosmetic repair, especially when the bathroom face is also peeling. The location makes a water path plausible but…
Read guideBrown drips on a bathroom wall may be surfactant leaching, where water-soluble paint ingredients collect on the surface under humid conditions. Similar-looking marks can also involve dirt, an…
Read guideStreaks on a newly painted exterior should be assessed before washing the entire building or repainting it. Compare the pattern with roof runoff, recent rain or dew, and application overlaps. If…
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