We worked on the exterior side today... the side with the weird paint/chalk. We used a citrus based stripper (covered with saran wrap to keep it moist) to strip the top layers of paint off of the mouldings and around the lites.
The ash tree above our "workbench" (old picnic table) decided to add some leaves for visual interest.
After we scraped the paint off with various dental tools, the head of a large nail, and a brass stripping brush, we cleaned it with mineral spirits. No picture, because it looks exactly the same in a picture; the stripper had seemingly no or little effect on the chalky bottom paint. My hunch is that it is a plaster or drywall compound spread on to smooth defects and ensure a "perfect" paint job.
That's what we did to seal up our house this weekend. It's round about and not immediate, but it should help out in the long run.
7 comments:
While this sort of maintenance is a headache, I cannot imagine a better time of year to do it... Good luck reducing the amount of 'outside' on the 'inside'
Yep. 'Tis the season. I've been busy caulking.
I have a bedroom window to attend to and a new weather strip to put on the bottom of the front door and I think we should be about ready. OK. Let me rephrase. The house will be ready. I will NEVER be ready for cold weather!
wow
I'm feeling guilty I didn't do any stripping this weekend myself. But I feel for you.. this is a big job
I'm still caulking....but the end's in sight now. And this Sunday, weather permitting, I'll fix the 4 or 5 storm windows that need attention. Oh, and if you can't find a hot water bottle, you could make a corn bag: just cut 2 squares 12" or so from sturdy cotton fabric, sew together right sides together, leaving a gap for filling. Turn right side out, put a cup of so of shell corn inside, and sew up the gap. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds or so (maybe longer depending on your microwave) and use the corn bag to warm up the sheets! My aunt made me a couple, and I use them all the time. They're also good for sore backs & aching muscles as a heat pad.
Wow, that's a large task!!! You guys are going to be good to go this winter though! Thanks for sharing:)
and caulking, and wood filling and repainting and... we'll stop when it freezes!
We've been caulking....I wish I would have started counting caulk tubes when we began working on this house.....
I also think all of our wood work has the plaster compound rubbed into the grain of the wood. I don't think we will ever be able to stain our trim....It never was stained.....
jayne---I am gonna try that corn bag.
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