Cottage Reflections

06 - cottage reflections EXPERTADVICE,QUALITYMATERIALS. 16SpeersRoad(Lagimodiere&Maginot)•Winnipeg:204-233-8687•TollFree:1-888-782-7974•STARBUILDING.CA WHATDREAMSAREMADEOF. Buildingacottageorfixingoneup.Layingdownanewdeckordroppinganewdock. Starhaseverythingyou'llneedtoturntheretreatyou'vebeendreamingofintothe envyoftheneighboorhood.TalktotheexpertsatStartoday. Fast&affordabledeliverytoallofManitobaandnorthwesternOntario SO IT'S TIME TO FINALLY PAINT THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR COTTAGE AND YOU'RE GATHER- ING UP YOUR SUPPLIES TO MAkE SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO DO THE JOb PROPERLY. Paint? Check. Brushes? Check. Scraper? Check. Cleaning materials? Check. Now you're all set to tackle this oft-delayed chore and make your home away from home the envy of all your neighbours, right? Not so fast, says Frank Bruce, owner of Lake- side Decorating in St. Laurent along the shores of Lake Manitoba. One of the most valuable tools do-it-yourselfers need when it comes to undertaking such a big job is patience – and plenty of it. "You learn over the years to be patient with paint- ing. You gotta be patient," Bruce said. "Just because you have this weekend marked down on your cal- endar and you're thinking, 'I'm gonna do it' doesn't mean you should do it. "If your nice paint job is done at two in the after- noon and there's a thunderstorm that goes through at five or six in the evening, all that work is for naught." Even once you have all the necessary tools for the job, you may not be quite ready to begin. Bruce said one of the biggest differences between painting the exterior of a home in the city and a cottage is the lat- ter usually requires more prep work because it's less insulated from the elements. He recommends fixing or replacing any damaged wood prior to scraping to prevent any further damage to your cottage's exterior. A simple scraper or sander will usually suffice when it comes to removing old paint, but you may want to consider a power washer for any particularly nasty or tough-to-reach areas. "It's tedious work, but it's got to be done," he said, but cautioned to be careful to fix or replace any dam- aged wood before using a washer. Paul Schimnowski, owner of Western Paint and Wallcovering in Winnipeg, said it's important to en- sure wood is completely dry after pressure washing and that could take up to a couple days, depending on the weather. One of the challenges with painting many older cottages is that oil-based paints were often used on the exterior, Schimnowski said. If that old paint isn't removed or properly covered, it can break down, rise to the surface and cause your new paint to bubble or peel. He recommended applying a latex primer prior to using a finishing coat of 100 per cent acrylic paint. "A lot of people try to eliminate (priming)," he said. "What they'll do is put a coat of the finish on and then another coat of finish, but the primer is what gives you the bite. It's the one that seals the wood that's there." One of the more recent trends when it comes to cottage exteriors is families choosing a solid stain in- stead of paint, Schimnowski said. A solid stain can last as long as 15 years and doesn't usually require primer underneath, he added. A common mistake he sees cottage owners make is staining over a wood surface that's been neglected and begun turning grey. Schimnowski said using a wood cleaner prior to applying fresh stain will allow for a more even finish. If you choose paint, you should consider using one with a built-in stain blocker, according to Bruce. A blocker will prevent any stains, such as tree sap, from rising to the surface once your paint has dried. Even if you are going it alone on this project, you'll still want to consult Mother Nature. Paint when it's too hot (above 27 C) and you run the risk of the wood on your cottage's surface being too moist and your paint or stain not penetrating the surface. Likewise, if the humidity is too high your paint won't stick. Cans of primer and paint have guidelines for tem- perature and humidity and it's wise to follow them. Schimnowski said it's better to paint in early morn- ing or later in the day and not in direct sunlight. ❚ Patience, knowledge valuable tools For exterior Painting bY JIM TIMLICk FOR THE FREE PRESS aBove: skipping the primer when painting a cottage exterior is a Big mistake, says western paint and wallcovering owner paul schimnowksi. photo By darcy finley. paint and stain won't penetrate or stick properly if the temperature is aBove 27 c or the humidity is too high. photo By Judy owen.

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