Redwood National Park Cost

As opposed to the putty knife, the paint scraper is used in a pulling motion and works by raking the damaged areas of paint away. Paint Problem Solver. A coarse grit, open-coat flint sandpaper—the least expensive kind—is useful for this purpose because, as the sandpaper clogs with paint it must be discarded and this process repeated until all layers adhere uniformly.

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Also, total removal obliterates evidence of the historical paints and their sequence and architectural context. This Brief expands on that advice for the architect, building manager, contractor, or homeowner by identifying and describing common types of paint surface conditions and failures, then recommending appropriate treatments for preparing exterior wood surfaces for repainting to assure the best adhesion and greatest durability of the new paint.

Although the Brief focuses on responsible methods of “paint removal,” several paint surface conditions will be described which do not require any paint removal, and still others which can be successfully handled by limited paint removal.

In all cases, the information is intended to address the concerns related to exterior wood. The paint on this exterior decorative feature is sound. Photo: NPS files. Another important purpose for painting wood is, of course, to define and accent architectural features and to improve appearance. Unfortunately, these are ideal conditions. Although paint problems are by no means unique to historic buildings, treating multiple layers of hardened, brittle paint on complex, ornamental—and possibly fragile—exterior wood surfaces necessarily requires an extremely cautious approach.

In the case of recent construction, this level of concern is not needed because the wood is generally less detailed and, in addition, retention of the sequence of paint layers as a partial record of the building’s history is not an issue. When historic buildings are involved, however, a special set of problems arises—varying in complexity depending upon their age, architectural style, historical importance, and physical soundness of the wood—which must be carefully evaluated so that decisions can be made that are sensitive to the longevity of the resource.

When the protective and decorative paint finish was removed and an inappropriate clear finish applied, the exterior character of the building was altered. Once conditions warranting removal have been identified the general approach should be to remove paint to the next sound layer using the gentlest means possible, then to repaint.

Practically speaking as well, paint can adhere just as effectively to existing paint as to bare wood, providing the previous coats of paint are also adhering uniformly and tightly to the wood and the surface is properly prepared for repainting— cleaned of dirt and chalk and dulled by sanding. But, if painted exterior wood surfaces display continuous Glacier National Park To Great Falls Mt of deep cracks or if they are extensively Redwood National Park Cost and peeling so that bare wood is visible, then the old paint should be completely removed before repainting.

The only other justification for removing all previous layers of paint is if doors, shutters, or windows have literally been “painted shut,” or if new wood is being pieced-in adjacent to old painted wood and a smooth transition is desired. Historic buildings have been set on fire with blow torches; wood irreversibly scarred by sandblasting or by harsh mechanical devices such as rotary sanders and rotary wire strippers; and layers of historic paint inadvertently and unnecessarily removed.

In addition, property owners, using techniques that substitute speed for safety, have been injured by toxic lead vapors or dust from the paint they were trying to remove or by misuse of the paint removers themselves. Owners of historic properties considering paint removal should also be aware of the amount of time and labor involved.

The amount of work involved in any paint removal project must therefore be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. Hiring qualified professionals will often be a cost-effective decision due to the expense of materials, the special equipment required, and the amount of time involved.

Nor is color fading, of itself, sufficient justification…

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The maps in National Parks by Chimani are online only. Generally, dip stripping should be left to professional companies because caustic solutions can dissolve skin and permanently damage eyes as well as present serious disposal problems in large quantities. Excessive Chalking Cause of Condition Chalking—or powdering of the paint surface—is caused by the gradual disintegration of the resin in the paint film.