New / bare

Choose brushes and roller covers for wall paint, enamels, primers, and stains using my field selections. Includes shared nap tables for drywall, cedar, stucco, and smooth finishes, plus frame choices, mini rollers, water-based cleanup, storage, and replacement checks.

Preparing and Repainting Cedar Siding

An inspection-led guide to cedar siding and shakes: diagnosing peeling, agreeing repairs, cleaning and removing failed coating, confirming dryness, priming, spraying an exterior acrylic finish, and inspecting the result.

Preparing and Painting New Drywall

A good new-drywall paint job begins before the primer goes on. Identify the finish, inspect the entire job, and resolve the preparation work. Then keep inspecting as each stage is completed.

Interior Painting Techniques and Guidelines for a Paint Crew

The method I teach my crew: protect the room, establish a station, work from the top down, keep tools loaded, paint into the wet, and inspect throughout. Includes the second-coat caulk seal on the tape edge and how it differs from manufacturer directions.

Preparing and Painting Exterior Aluminum

A smooth aluminum finish begins with removing corrosion products, preparing the remaining coating, and choosing a compatible primer and finish. This entry records my workflow for exterior aluminum and keeps it distinct from the rust-conversion methods used on steel and iron.

Choosing the Right Primer

Choose a primer for the surface it will actually touch, the problem it must solve, and the finish that will follow. Identify the underlying material and the existing coating, prepare them properly, and test uncertain combinations before committing to an entire surface.