SS wrote:
Is there a limit to the amount of undercoats to put down before
applying a final coat of gloss.
One side of my porch gets hammered by the weather over winter and have
currently I have taken it back to the wood, so far I have given it 2
undercoats but wondering if there is any benefit by giving another
couple of coats before a final gloss.

SS,

Try two coats of undercoat and two coats of gloss (that usually gives me a
five year life on outside work) - but it is far more important to prepare
the surfaces properly first.

I.E.


1 - Rub down to remove all loose and denuded areas - ensuring that all paint
edges are 'feathered' and all sharp edges of wood have arrises removed
(slightly rounded)

2 - Repair any damaged areas properly (renewal, filler etc)

3 - Full prime or spot prime any bare or new timbers - and rub down when dry

4 - Check priming work for missed or damaged work - and touch up as
necessary - light down when dry

5 - Apply first and second coats of undercoat - rubbing down when dry

6 - Apply first and second top coat - rubbing down between the two coats
only

7 - DON'T apply each coat very thickly - you'll get lots of runs that will
be difficult to sort out.

If you are priming new, bare timber, give it two coats - thinning the first
cost to a 50/50 mix of paint and solvent.

Try not to thin the second primer, undercoat and gloss coats as you are
trying to get a good "body" of paint that will cover and last .

Always you the best quality paint that you can afford and try and paint the
work on a dry, cloudy, windless day if possible (nothing "flashes off the
paint quicker than a hot, sunny or windy day).

Cash