The Rot Doctor


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Subject: Wood trim and new balusters (outdoor app.)
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999

Hi,

I have two questions with respect to your CPES sealer.
The first question/situation is:

I'm presently removing peeling paint from the exterior trim on my house. It appears that either pine or spruce 1x was used. I'm removing the paint down to bare wood with a heat gun application. My question is, can the CPES be used as a base coat for latex paint in this type of application. If so, what preparation/application methods should be used.

Prep the surface by removing at least 95% of the old paint, which you are doing, and be sure that the wood is clean (no oils or other contaminants) and reasonably dry.

Apply one generous coat of CPES to the wood. After the CPES becomes non sticky to the touch, but before the full cure time (one to four days depending on temperature) apply the latex paint. This allows the paint to be glued to the wood, extending the life of the paint job.

The second question/situation is:

I'm rebuilding the railing system on my exterior deck. I don't like the flimsy balusters (pressure treated) that one finds these days at many of the larger home centers. What I would like to use are heftier turned balusters which may be pine or redwood that would eventually be painted to match the house trim (latex). Can I build the railing system from those materials, treat them with CPES, then paint them with the latex paint. What kind of paint job life expectancy can one attain with that type of approach.

Yes, treat the new wood with CPES using the procedure above. It will help the paint to last. Be SURE to treat the end grain of the wood, even if you are not planning on painting that part of the wood. This will drastically reduce the ability of water to get into the wood, greatly extending the life of the wood, and the paint on it. How much longer? Unfortunately environmental variables make it hard to give an accurate estimate. However, by "gluing" the paint to the wood, you are reducing the premature failure of the paint due to peeling. UV rays and ozone will still oxidize the paint, requiring periodic reapplication.

Thanks in advance for any reply.

Best regards,

Raymond M.

Come back if you have more questions.

Doc

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