Edina Painting Co Home Contact Edina Painting in MNWhy Edina Painting Co In MnEdina Painters: What to ExpectEdina Painting Co References in Minnesota
Edina Painting Co. in MNExterior, Interior and Commercial Painting

Exterior Painting Process

Pressure Washing

Pressure washing an exterior painting job is a part of our standard preparation on most projects in the Minneapolis Minnesota area. It is important that, if needed, all carpentry issues are completed prior to washing.  We use machines that have the ability to generate up to 3500 “psi” of pressure.  At these high pressures, regular water will clean most surfaces adequately.  There are occasions when a stripping/cleaning agent may be necessary.  It is also standard practice to treat all mildew infested areas with a bleach solution prior to pressure washing.  Pressure washing will remove any build up of mildew, mineral deposits and/or dirt that has collected since your last exterior painting.  The removal of these contaminants is necessary to ensure proper finish coat adhesion. Pressure washing also completes some of the preliminary removal of loose and peeling paint. 

Surface Preparation 

Surface preparation is the single most important part of any exterior paint job in Minnesota.  The steps described below are all part of our standard preparation process and necessary to ensure a long lasting exterior paint job.  Even the most expensive paint will not last long on a poorly prepared surface. 

Scraping-Prior to painting, we use hand tools to remove all loose and peeling paint.

Sanding-When we are done scraping, power and /or hand sanding will be used to remove decay from bare wood surfaces.  Sanding for restorative or aesthetic purposes is not part of our standard preparation and will not necessarily prolong the life of the paint job. However, it can enhance your home’s appearance.  We generally do restorative sanding on a “time and materials” basis due to the difficult nature of setting a clear expectation regarding the final appearance. 

Priming-After scraping and sanding, we will then apply the appropriate primer to any bare wood or problem areas.  There are many different primers assigned for special purposes such as excessive peeling, tannin stains, rust, slick surfaces and galvanized metal, to name  a few.  You should also know that some paints and stains are self priming. 

Caulking-The primary purpose of caulk is to prevent exterior moisture from entering your home.  We will repair any cracked or loose caulk as well as fill any cracks in your siding, large knot holes and any construction seams that would appear to be likely entry points for exterior moisture. 

Glazing-Proper glazing includes the removal of any existing glaze that is loose, sanding and priming the bare wood that has been exposed, applying glazing compound to the prepared areas and then painting the window once the glazing has dried. This is generally done on a “time and materials” basis.

Masking

We will take the necessary precautions to ensure that paint does not end up on your landscaping and belongings.  Windows will be covered with clear plastic.  Hardware and fixtures will be covered or removed.  Affected sidewalks, driveways, patios and lawn furniture will be covered with canvas tarps and /or tied back.  Some plants and shrubs are delicate and can be damaged by the weight of our tarps.  There are also times when access to the house makes it inevitable that some plants will be damaged.  Please inform your project manager of any special considerations you would like us to accommodate. 

Siding and Soffits

Siding and soffits are typically the first items to be painted on an exterior job.  The application process is the key to a successful paint job.  On large expanses of soffits and siding, paint is typically applied using a spray application immediately followed by back-brushing or back-rolling.  This ensures an even spread rate and the best possible adhesion.  When applying a stain on rough cedar it is always necessary to back-brush, rather than back-roll.  There are also some situations in which back-brushing or back-rolling are not required (i.e. steel siding, vinyl siding, smooth doors, and any hard surfaces that are too dense to allow for paint penetration.)  Second coats of paint can also be applied and are generally done so using a spray only application.  A second coat of paint adds thickness of the paint coating and will prolong the longevity of the paint job.  This process should only be done after the first coat of paint has dried for the manufacturers’ recommended time. 

Trim

Trim refers to items such as windows, doors, doorframes, fascia, and decorative trim boards.  These items are typically painted by hand using a brush and /or trim roller.  These items are generally painted after the siding and soffit work has been completed.  Painting items such as front doors, service doors, and wood windows generally require some limited access to your home.  Coordinating these items with our crew foreman at the beginning of the job will allow for a timely completion of your project.

Decks

Deck refinishing is a multi-step process.  The first step is to remove any old finish and/or decaying wood.  This is accomplished by pressure washing the deck using detergents that chemically strip the deck.  The chemicals used will not harm your plants and/or grass.  A deck may splinter if the wood has started to decay.  We will sand any sharp edges caused by the splinters before applying the finish coat.  After the deck has thoroughly dried, we will apply one or two coats or finish depending on the product you have chosen.  We generally recommend an oil based toner but there are several other products ranging from semi-transparent to opaque that can be used.  There are also specialty products for exotic wood species such as “tiger wood”.  Unfortunately, deck floors should be rinsed with a pressure washer and recoated every 12-24 months depending on sun exposure.  By following a good maintenance schedule you can minimize the cost of pressure washing and avoid replacing damaged deck boards. 

Note: You may notice that your deck has a “fuzzy” residue after the pressure washing process.  The “fuzzy” residue, which is actually wood fibers, is a normal byproduct of the stripping process and should wear away with time.  If this is a concern to you we can power sand your deck floor for an additional cost

Clean up

Our clean up is a very thorough process in which we return your home and yard to the way it was found.  All masking is removed from your home.  Patio furniture, plants, downspouts, shutters, and all other items moved during the painting process are replaced to their original position.  We will also leave you a small quantity of each of the products used in the event you need to match the paint for future projects or small touch-up issues.  Finally, we remove all of our equipment and leave your property the way we found it when we arrived.

 

 

 

© 2008 Edina Painting Co. Located Edina, Minnesota:  MN