GENERAL
• The real difference in the price of paint is two-fold. How well it goes on and hides imperfections (applicability), and how many times you can wash it or how well it withstands weathering (durability). You get what you pay for.
• Temperature and humidity greatly influence a paint or stains drying time, but most modern paints can be “recoated” in 2-4 hours.
• Color matched paints and solid stains will be close in color and sheen to the original, but an exact match cannot be guaranteed, even when using the same brand of paint.
• Fading and sun bleaching of painted surfaces may cause paint "patches" to stand out considerably from the surrounding old paint, even when using the "original" paint. It is costly, but possible to attempt to color match the “faded” aspects of the old paint; or repainting the entire affected surface may be desirable.
• Staining of wood with translucent stains has many variables, the most significant is the wood itself. The cut, grain direction and density of the wood varies in each piece, affecting how the wood will appear when stained.
• Modern paints and stains will dry to the touch in a few hours, but will still bond to any item placed on or against them, and peel off when the item is moved. It may take as long as 30 days for a paint or stain to fully “cure.”
• Most oil-based products have been replaced with water-based products. The new water-base products are “as good as” or in some case better than their oil-based counterparts. Most new water-based products can be used over properly prepared oil-base products.
• Water-based urethanes can be safely used over oil-based wood stains.
• Oil-based products may be required only in cases of extreme exposure conditions.
• Lead-based paints where eliminated from public use on 1/1/1978.
• Work disturbing painted surfaces of Pre-1978 dwellings or child-occupied facilities requires new EPA standards to be followed by contractors, and are highly recommended for Do-It-Yourselfers as well.
PORCHES, DECKS, STAIRS
• Staining a piece of pressure-treated (PT) wood on all it’s surfaces should be avoided when possible. Moisture trapped inside the wood will escape by blistering or peeling the stain surface. Painting PT wood is not recommended.
• 48 – 72 hours should be allowed before walking on freshly painted or stained surfaces.
• 7-10 days is recommended before placing heavy furniture or other items on freshly painted porch or deck surface, so that the paint or stain does not “cure” to the bottom of the item, and peel loose when the item is moved.
• 30 days should be allowed for freshly painted porch and deck surfaces to adequately cure before washing.
• New concrete or mortar surfaces require a minimum of 30 days to cure before they are painted or sealed. Preferably longer.
· Most painted or stained deck and porch surfaces made of pressure-treated wood, no matter how well originally applied or reapplied, will need to be resurfaced in 3 – 5 years, depending on use, exposure, and maintenance. Some may last as little as two years.
• An annual maintenance and safety check, and cleaning/recoating with the proper product(s) can significantly increase the life-span of a deck or porch.
