Dan_Musicant wrote:

I'm wondering what I can use in the way of application method to paint
the underside of my roof overhangs, both at the eaves and running up the
side of the gables (between the gable rafters and the walls). Brush,
some kind of roller system, or spray? At the eaves, there are rafter
tails, and I assume I'll use a brush, but painting the bottom of the
soffitts with a brush seems like it would be a messy proposition, with
paint flowing down onto my hand. Is there a method of using a brush that
prevents this?

This area has 1x8 pine boards, some of which are unfinished (just had
roof replaced) and some with very uneven and old paint. I figure to
prime, probably with Tinman's formula, posted in this newsgroup back in
2001:

1). 75% Zinsser's Cover Stain or Pratt & Lambert Suprime.
2). 15% Flood's Penetrol.
3). 10% Naphtha.
4). Add Japan drier (at one ounce per quart).
5). Tint to tonal range of topcoat

I'm not sure what to do about the already painted surfaces. Maybe scrape
or fill or sand, I just don't know. I assume the existing paint has lead
content, since the exterior of this house hasn't been painted since the
1970's, maybe earlier, in all probability.

I'm wondering also how long I can delay painting after applying my prime
coat. Being color blind, I'm hesitant to decide on a color scheme. I
figure I'll probably use a Benjamin Moore acrylic exterior paint,
probably 3 colors - one for walls, one for window frame, another for
sash. Possibly, I'll use the window frame color for the rafters and
soffitt bottoms.

Thanks for any help.

Dan


That's an interesting formula ... why the thinner? Is that a formula
for spraying? Seems it would make brushing more difficult. In painting
anything, especially a house, I would use brush only for edging and on
areas too small for roller. With little foam rollers, even the small
areas are sometimes a lot easier to do. For sure, you need to scrape
loose paint. Clean dust, chalking, mold, etc. As far as smoothing
edges of chipped or peeled paint, I probably would not bother. I hate
to sand, and would not use glossy paint on a house exterior. Easist way
to take care of those would probably be to prime them, then hit the
edges you can see with some paintable caulk, smooshed on with fingers.
If you can't see edges, they are not a problem.

As far as lead paint goes, use the appropriate mask for sanding or
torching, protective clothing that you can shake out and launder well,
and shop vac to get the chips so's you can dispose of them properly. If
you have a lot of chipped paint coming off during scraping or pressure
washing, lay down a roll of window screen .. catches most of it, can lay
it out to dry if pressure washed, and then just dump in garbage or haz
mat disposal.