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Blogger Gresham, OR

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Tricks for taming the perfectionism beast? Short of a support group...

If you've got 'em, I'd love to hear 'em. We've been painting the exterior of our house this summer. All. summer. long. I'm beginning to think the problem isn't the house, it's me. Sharing all about it on our blog today: http://www.thissortaoldlife.com/2012/08/20/...

To see more: http://www.thissortaoldlife.com/2012/08/20/painting-our-front-door/

6 Comments

Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

It normally takes a crew of pros to knock out an exterior repaint. So it is not at all uncommon that a conscientious homeowner will take all summer to do it right, so it can last a long time. Keep up the good work Cane. Nice color choices. With that front door color, I can tell you are not a a perfectionist when it comes to conforming to the norm.
Best, Charles.

on Aug 20, 2012 · Like 0
Rita and Cane Gresham, OR

Thanks for sharing this perspective. We're only going to get half the house done this summer--the front and back, which take the most beating from the sun. We'll do the two short sides next year. (And this is Rita writing, btw.)

on Aug 20, 2012 · Like 0
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

The sun; the single most harmful element to paint.
A good paint job is just hundreds of details put together that make a pretty picture. And most of the time there is no getting around that it just takes time to do it right.
CP

on Aug 21, 2012 · Like 0
HandyANDY Home Renovation... Marietta, GA

And using the right materials. Hand wash with a TSP-water mix, light rinse...I believe you get lots of mold in OR with all the rain you get. Use top-of-the-line caulks and paints like Sherwin Williams Shermax caulk.....and either Duration exterior paints...or the new Emerald line. You can get a 40% coupon for a limited time on the Emerald paint. We just started using it and I like the coverage. If the results are good...HandyANDY can boost our paint warranty beyond it's current ...»
10-years.
With all that painting, you've probably developed enough of a steady hand to skipping taping off. As Peace wrote...it's all in the details. I watched a crew today in Alpharetta....pressure wash a house and paint it the same day! What a disaster.

on Aug 22, 2012 · Like 1
Rita and Cane Gresham, OR

Thanks for the info, HandyAndy. We have used high-quality paint and caulk. We don't want to have to do this again for a while! And you're right about the tape. I've gone back to free-hand. I think tape is just as time-consuming, and the quality really isn't any better.

on Aug 22, 2012 · Like 0
Peace Painting Co., Inc. Alpharetta, GA

Once you use a product like SW Emerald, you will see the difference in more working time and less brush strokes showing.
Also, the right size, well kept Purdy brush will give you a good strainght line. Most folks use a brush that is too small to hold enough paint to put it on fast enough to keep a 'wet edge' from start to finish. ...»

I used to be more of an idealist/perfectionist until this last economic downturn. I have had to adapt to work within limitations in order to keep going. It's difficult in the beginning to abandon the perfect world but I have begun to actually enjoy the nuances of starting to make each job work within its confines.

on Aug 23, 2012 · Like 0