SPECIAL PRODUCTS

There are a few new products out there that will make the prep work phase of your painting project go a little easier. Foam backed sandpaper is sold in hand sized blocks and work great for the curved surfaces of window and door moldings. they are also easy on the hands.
There are two types of deglossers. The old ones consists of a combination of strong solvents and I do not recommend them for use by a home owner. The new deglossers (liquid sandpaper) clean and degloss in one easy step. The new deglossers have very little odor other than the slight smell of floor polish. They are especially useful to clean and degloss cabinets and woodwork. If you plan to use a deglosser, I still recommend a light sanding.
A light sanding followed by the application of the deglosser/cleaner, primer, and finish paint is the best combination for shinny surfaces and old oil based paint finishes, or if you are not sure of what type of old finish you are dealing with. Since chemicals are at work with any deglosser I recommend that you wear protective gloves.
Should you decide to tape off the trim or walls,
always use a "clean release" Painter's tape and
remove the tape soon after you are finished with the job. This will help to prevent the paint on the tape from "blocking" and peeling the paint on the surface that you intend to stay painted.
I did not include these products in the prep work sections of the book because I believe it is important to have knowledge of the old methods. You really can't appreciate a short cut unless you have been the long way 'round a few times.

SPECIAL PROBLEMS

Wallpaper removal can be a special problem. If the walls (especially drywall) were not properly prepared and primed before the wallpaper was installed, striping the paper could cause extensive damage to the walls. If the outermost layer of the drywall starts to come off as you strip the wallpaper,... Stop....and consider your options. You could continue and repair the damage by skimming the walls with drywall compound or call a professional to do the job. I recommend the latter.
If you are going to repaper the wall, simply find and cut out the loose spots and loose seams. Spackle and sand those areas you cut out, prime the wallpaper with a wallpaper bridge primer and hang the new paper.
To paint the wallpaper, make sure that the wallpaper is bonded tight to the wall. Cut out loose spots and seams. Spackle and feather sand those areas you cut out. Prime the wall with a solvent based primer/sealer before you apply latex wall paint. Do not omit the primer and paint the wallpaper with latex wall paint, the water in the paint base may loosen the wallpaper in spots both large and small. Of course you could live with the ugly wallpaper,...Ok, so that is not a option.

If you have plaster walls and the wallpaper is being stubborn and difficult to remove, rent a steamer.
Wall damage should not be a problem with plaster. A steamer can be a real time and labor saver when dealing with wallpapered plaster, but DO be careful and follow the instructions on the steamer, where there is steam,.........well, I won't bore you with the horror stories.

SPECIAL PROBLEMS (continued)

Spray textured ceilings can hide demons that rear there ugly little heads with the touch of a paint roller.The water from a leaking roof, or the high humidity levels in some rooms (kitchens and bathrooms) can loosen the bond between the ceiling and the texture. This will not become apparent until the texture rolls off in a sheet onto your paint roller. Do not panic. Just consider your options.
You could continue to paint the ceiling and retexture the damaged areas. Small areas can be retextured with do-it-yourself kits that are available at your local paint store. You will have to paint the patched areas after they have dried.

You may also consider calling a professional to scrape and retexture the entire ceiling, depending on the amount of damage, this may be the best option.
Just don't get in over your head, no pun intended.


  
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About the Author
Roger Woodward is a painting contractor with over twenty five years in the Painting Trade. Over the years R. Woodward & Co. has established a reputation for high quality workmanship, honesty and fairness. Roger's professional and sometimes innovative approach to the house painting craft has garnered him the respect of his fellow Craftsmen and provided a customer loyalty that is seldom seen. Roger is also the Founder and Publisher of Painter Forum,  an outstanding free home painting resource for DIY and professional house painters.
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"Painting Frankenstein"
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Painting Frankenstein
by Roger Woodward
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