On 2005-12-16, Dan_Musicant wrote:

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?

Most paints will be thick enough not to flow off the brush like that.
You only use 1/3 to 1/2 of the length of the bristles to carry the
paint. Of course, your proposed paint formula has some thinner, which
would make it flow more. I'm not sure if that's a good idea or not,
although if you're hoping to paint weathered wood without sanding it
perhaps it will help.

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.

If there is lead paint, the proper thing to do is to use a chemical
stripper, or to use a mechanical tool that has a built in shroud to
collect all the dust, connected to a HEPA vacuum.

I'm wondering also how long I can delay painting after applying my prime
coat.

The advice I received from my local paint store was to put a flat top
coat on of a neutral color. It will be better protection than primer
only, and being flat, paint will stick to it better in six months. Of
course, you'll still have to wash it before repainting.

Cheers, Wayne