Oil-based stain-blocking primer

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.

Repainting Previously Painted Interior Walls

An interior repaint starts with the condition of the existing room: investigate damage, remove what is failing, repair and clean the surface, spot-prime where needed, and apply two finish coats. Sound existing paint does not automatically require a full coat of primer.

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.

Removing Wallpaper and Preparing the Wall for Paint

A steam-first wallpaper-removal process covering test areas, scoring, adhesive cleanup, drying, damaged drywall facing, patching, full-wall priming, and the final repaint. Includes the limited paint-over exception and separately sourced manufacturer directions.