Frankenstein home painting nightmare

Painting Frankenstein
by Roger Woodward
posted courtesy of
www.painterforum.com

About the Author
Roger Woodward is a painting contractor with over twenty five years in the Painting Trade. Over the years R. Woodward & Co. has established a reputation for high quality workmanship, honesty and fairness. Roger's professional and sometimes innovative approach to the house painting craft has garnered him the respect of his fellow Craftsmen and provided a customer loyalty that is seldom seen. Roger is also the Founder and Publisher of Painter Forum, an outstanding free home painting resource for DIY and professional house painters.
Copyright & Disclaimer
"Painting Frankenstein" title and book contents are the property of Roger Woodward Copyright 1997-2007. All Rights are reserved.
Disclaimer:
The purpose of this book is to provide practical guidelines for your painting project. The use of this book is at your own risk. Neither Roger Woodward nor any of his websites, subsidiaries, divisions, affiliates, agents, representatives or licensors, shall be liable to you or anyone else for any loss or injury to person or property, or any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or punitive damages arising out of your use or non use of information available in this book. Always follow all project and product safety instructions and guidelines provided by the product manufacturers. Failure to do so can result in serious injury.

FRANKENSTEIN

I am going to create a room for us to paint. It will be the type of room that a real estate agent would only show you in the dark, unless you spied the light bulb in her purse. A room in which each wall is made of different material complete with its own unique problems. A true painters nightmare.

It's what pros call a FRANKENSTEIN.

My Frankenstein room is large, about 18 by 20 feet, and very needy. The first pervious owners used it for a childrens room. With six kids they needed it. The second previous owners used it for spare auto parts and lawn equipment. The crayons and leaf blowers are gone but their ghosts haunt the walls, mar the windows, and mark the doors. There are three doors, four windows and four walls of different types. The front wall is painted wallboard with a variety of stains, dings, and gouges. The back wall is prefinished grooved paneling. The first side wall is plaster with a few cracks and some water damage towards the top; a built in base cabinet is centered on this wall. The cabinet is dark brown with several coats of varnish. Our last wall is made of wallboard but it is covered with ugly peeling wallpaper.It is also the only wall adorned with a strip of crown molding across its top. The ceiling is "popcorned" with a sprayed texture finish and displays several large brown water stains. It's depressing.

Let's get out of here for a while.

ONWARD

Just down the hall is my locked supply room, a sign on the door reads:

Danger!! No Children or Pets

I have every imaginable paint and accessory locked in there. I will check the inventory later, for now I am going to have a cup of coffee and find a pencil and pad.

I've moved all the furnishings to the center of the room in several small groupings. The small groupings will allow later access to the entire ceiling. I've covered each grouping with old bed sheets. Now we can get a closer look at Frankie's problems.

With pencil and pad in hand I am going to make a close inspection and a list of supplies we will need to "prep" this room for painting. I will make several trips gathering supplies. It's not a good idea to try and get everything we will need for the entire project in one trip. If we do try, we are bound to forget something and we are bound to remember it at the least opportune time ( When your face is speckled with paint, or your son has borrowed the car). It is better to make shorter lists and a couple of trips. Here is my list of problems and what we will need to prep or repair them.

PREP LIST

Problem : Small cracks, nail holes, pings, gouges, in wallboard or plaster.
Fix : Ready mix drywall compound.
Amount: One gallon

Problem : Cracks between walls and wood trim. (baseboards etc.)
Fix : Latex caulk.
Amount: Two tubes.

Problem : Nail holes and deep pings in woodwork .
Fix : Painters putty or wood fill
Amount: One half pint.

Problem : Crayon, ink, oil and water stains and primer for varnished cabinet.
Fix : Primer/Sealer.
Amount: One gallon.

Problem : Primer for windows, doors, and woodwork trim. grooved paneling.
Fix : Acrylic latex primer.
Amount: Two gallons.

Tools for Project

Four inch putty (spackling) knife
One inch putty knife (stiff)
Caulking Gun
Three Disposable brush (three inch)

Nylon/polyester brush (2-1/2 inch)
Roller frame
Two Roller covers (1/2 inch nap)
Roller extension pole or mop handle
One Roller screen
Five gallon bucket

One gallon bucket
Two rolls Painter's tape (two inch)
Four sheets Sandpaper   220 grit
One pkg.Dust masks
Rags
Old bed sheets or drapes If available

Wallpaper Removal
Fabric softener white vinegar as needed
Garden sprayer (optional)