estimates-- on my peeling badly home

[cathyntn]

Hi everyone. I'm new here. I purchased a 52yo(now that old) house 8yr ago-- it is soft redwood siding. The house had been painted a year prior to my buying.. the paint was peeling BADLY. There was evidence/proof/obvious it had been painted over--rather than removing the peeling paint. I have been unable to afford to paint it. Various things inside/out break when I have half the $ ready to paint. So, recently I received several steep estimates to simply pressure wash-- after being advised to do this.. prior to painting. (Also prime/etc) OK, My house is a simple capecod w/attatched 1 car garage. Approx 1700 sq ft. 4 of the "bids" to pressure wash was from $750-$1200. After lots of thought and research, I chose to purchase a (good) pressure washer and have my son do this. The pressure washer is strong w/cat pump..commercial grade/ cost $650. OK. He has washed my sidewalk=and wooden deck--looks great!. My plan began as having him wash/remove what he could of the paint 1 section at a time. And us prime/paint this section. While thinking/planning this.. I also had 5-6 estimates to paint it-- primarily trying to find someone to finish the top (2nd story), remove the several 6-9ft sections of rotten wood under the falling gutters.And reattatch the very loose gutters. OK. NONE of these painters said they would do this. They ALL said they refuse to do the top of a house.. in case "you mess up and blame it on me". The last guys refuse to even give me the estimate/cost unless I sign and agree to let them do IT ALL before they give the "reasonable estimate". I am frustrated and have little cash for this. Oh, and practically all of these painters-- from company's to "handymen" that neighbors have referred to me. The estimates to do it all-- have been from $2700-$12000. I don't even have $1000. So, my question is this.......... would it be ok to pressure wash a section/make sure paint is off/prime/paint 1 at a time? They all tell me it would be "stupid/undoable/dumb/won't work/etc". Please don't tell me how stupid this sounds.................... I'm afraid Iwe will be able to do bottom half and maybe not figure out how to do top half or something..and won't find anyone to finish it all..

[CarlThePainter]

You have to realize that painters are in the business of making money and if you want a pro to do the job right, it's going to cost more.  If you are looking for a cheap price, then you are probably not going to get a quality job.   When a house gets neglected and there is peeling paint everywhere, it may involve a lot of extra labor to 'restore' the wood to a condition worthy of being painted.   $1000 will probably only cover 3-4 days of labor for one guy.  I understand why painters would not want to paint just the top sections of a house....probably hard to bid this way, but I wouldn't have a problem doing it.  The pressure washer is certainly not the best tool to use to remove peeling paint...pressure washing is good for removing dirt and mildew, but not for stripping.    Peeling paint can really only be removed by sanding or hand tools, scraping and sanding, etc.   I don't see why it would be a problem to work on one section of the house at a time either...I can very easily pressure wash/paint one side without touching other sides.   Good luck!

[cathyntn]

Hi Carl and thank you so much for reading my incredibly long post. I apologize.. I failed to search around the site to see if these issues had been brought up. Well, I wish you lived nearby. I certainly want this house painted right. It is very obvious it hasn't been in many many years. It's in terrible cosmetic shape. (Are you in Tennessee? 
 I'm glad I purchased that expensive commercial grade p. washer...........but a little annoyed I once again believed every guy
that told me I HAD to remove the paint THAT way-- "never will come off scraping/sanding/no-one would/could do that. etc,etc,etc... sigh.. oh gosh... I certainly knew it. I've had huge company's out.... several ... they all estimated at least $8000-$12000. I hear from MANY ppl that "they had theirs done for $2500.. or much less". I feel paralyzed on what to do. Then about 75% "painters on the side w/excellent references/neighbors work/etc" were adamant the pressure washer would literally remove
ALL the paint. My insctinct immediately doubted that.......... but since over & over & over-----------they all said that. ..sigh
 I got this p washer. It has done a great job on sidewalk/deck/wooden swing set... but with lots of difficulty.. and 45min finally removed a 3" area of peeled paint. Guess I've kind of been stuck again.
  I think I will (w/my 2 sons & daughter n law) will wash/scrape/sand a section at a time.. and paint that and move to next section. (I also have researched on here "good paint brushes" Thank you again, for taking the time to once again repeat this
probable same issue.
Cathy

(move to Knoxille)

[Jake]

but a little annoyed I once again believed every guy
that told me I HAD to remove the paint THAT way-- "never will come off scraping/sanding/no-one would/could do that. etc,etc,etc...

Oh Yeah.....

It'll take ALL the paint off..... 

Along with all your siding as well. 

I worked with a guy once that had all kiinds of tips for his (pro pressure washer). Some of them would slice concrete.

Too bad I saw him butcher a house once. His excuse as we looked at all the deep cuts and grooves when he was done...... "Wow, this place sure does have a bad carpenter ant problem!" 

Don't know if you're old enough to remember a commercial from waaaaaay back when that had an old guy talking about investing money and he says to the camera very dryly.... "They make money the old fashioned way... They earn it"

Well you remove paint sorta the old fashioned way as well .... You scrape it.

The next guy who tells you that pressure washing is the only way...

Pull an Eric Cartman and just kick him right in the *EDITED* for good (or bad)taste

Good luck.

[cathyntn]

Hi again, thanks to everyone that read my plight..and to those that wrote. So, I found a great handyman- he charges $200/day. this "day" is from 6-8 hours. I have no problem if he leaves after hr 7 on top on my house scraping/sanding. My question. sooo... he has scraped large amts-- great!  but, when I get up close on some areas downbelow/lower house, i can see the imperfection-if painted over right now..that edge from peeled paint, and the paint that has remained. so- I have that tool you somehow attatch the sandpaper to this hand contraption.. w/a handle--I hold this, and beging scraping areas.. to smooth this paint.. is this getting it ready for the prime-& eventual paint? It has to be. Is there an easy to use sander that you attatch paper to,,,,,,,and sand all these areas easier? Or is it what it seems............a long, manual job-- done right?
 There are several levels of paint colors I've seen... as I scrape/sand.. but even I feel and see it does make it a smoother side to paint. I plan to continue scrubbing. My handyman/painter isn't very interested in this long process of sanding....  I will do it--but, am I doing in soo stupidly in an old fashioned way? is there another handy sanding tool to make this easier?
It took me 1hr to sand smooth a 4ft section on peeled wood..........  any tips were be so greatly appreciated.
 see you great pple later!Love to all!

[chrisn]

You need to get( at least) a sander such as this one

[BrushJockey]

After the scraping is done, many of us would recommend a primer that bridges or penetrates the remaining paint and makes it more secure for the top coats.
 Two very different primers with similar names-
 Zinseer Peel Stop- thinner and penetrating
and XIM Peel Bond, Thicker and bridging and self leveling.
 These are things a quality painter would do.

[rmichael]

I agree with Brush, unless you are doing a complete strip you will never eliminate the "imperfections".
Scrape to stable, feather sand as possible and apply a coat of Peel Bond before applying the finish paint. The Peel Bond will make the imperfections far less noticeable. It also  acts as a primer so there is no need for additional primers.

Best Luck,
rmichael

[cathyntn]

Thank you all sooo much. sigh.......  I've been sanding myself (groan) using a hand thing, you attach sandpaper to. Oh goodness! My arms are getting in great shape. I will purchase a sander; then use that type primer. I have had at least
a dozen professionals/handymen/company's here......NONE will sand it/all have told me "it will look/be ok to just prime-
"Kilz" then paint. .. sigh.........   So, I hired a neighbor's handyman..he has never painted, but said he would help me
all he could. He climbed up and scraped somewhat 2nd story... but doesn't want to sand. I'll have to get a sander, and
me & my sons will take turns doing that. (sons can do 2nd story)
Aren't any of you in my city??? Please
Cathy
(thank you so much!)

[chrisn]

If we knew what city, maybe. As for your primer, DO NOT let any" painter" talk you into Kilz. You need a slow drying oil based primer, such as this.

[Jake]

So, I hired a neighbor's handyman..he has never painted, but said he would help me
all he could.

The fact that he was upfront and honest with you about his lack of experience is to be commended.

Remember this caveat emptor.... It is true that even a monkey can paint, however not everyone can do it well.

A good painter has the skill to apply product cleanly and in a timely manner, knows how to clean up inevitable mishaps, and very importantly has a huge product knowledge base. There are other things, but these three, in my opinion, are the most important.

Your handyman would do well to take a look at this site and ask any questions he has before he jumps in.

Good luck! 

[cathyntn]

Thank you everyone for the advices. I'm taking lots of notes. Well, darn, I bought a 5gal bucket of Kilz.. after at least 12 "pro's" adv this. Oh my..  Could I use that inside? It says exterior.. Also, I have decided to purchase a good sander-- and me & my sons are just going to do that ourselves. The handyman offered to help w/ that also-- ** I said I would prefer to be here when he is doing it. Then, I'm going to prime then paint myself--w/my sons--while I watch/help. I'm soo afraid of all the "pro's" helping now. I can't believe all the mess I've heard from sooo many men. And some have been contractors. sigh.. My plan is painting this nightmare of an exterior..then reattaching the very loose gutters. Then start the painting inside. Then to sell early March.. I have 8 months. I just pray to get it done by then. Oh, and I live in Knoxville,TN. Any of you experts any where near me?? please.. lol At least my instinct told me to not go with any of these do gooders....
 Thank goodness you guys are here. I just want to do this right.

[chrisn]

Take the Kilz back and get a refund, no problem if it was not opened.

[Painter60]

Pressure washing is over rated unless done right.  I've seen too much siding ruined by people that use high pressure water to reduce labor, especially on cedar.  If it doesn't chew and remove half the wood it ends up cupping and cracking horribly down the road.  For removing mildew and dirt what's wrong with a bucket of solution and a brush?  Or using a pressure washer from a distance...

Have a neighbor who moved in across the street and a few houses down recently and saw a kid outside his house a few weeks ago with a pressure washer instead of scraping.  The next day he was spot priming and then painting.  That paint won't last long with all the moisture in that wood.

[cathyntn]

Amazing how many "painters" told me to use the pressure washer "to remove all the paint from the house". Good lord.
I knew within 10min of using it over the garage.. what kind of mess it would have been. And amazing..I can't find anyone
willing to sand this house. lol  that's ok.. I know it's very difficult. Me and my sons are going to do a section at a time. I'm going to return the 5gal bucket of Kilz-- unless hey, could I use it inside..?