Exterior Oil to Latex Stain Change

[Snap]

Our white cedar shingled house is currently coated with Cabot oil based semi-trans stain. Performance has been terrible. It's faded in about 4 years and the mold stains showed up in 2 years.
I would like to change to opaque latex because I can't take the odor that the previous product gave off.
It seems that Olympic latex may be the ticket.

Anyone have experience changing stain types?
Is there any special prep work required, if, that is, I can make the switch at all?

[admin]

After you power wash the siding you should be able to safely use a solid Acrylic latex stain. You might also consider an Acrylic/Oil solid stain, this hybrid provides the wood penetration of Oil with the color retention and mildew resistance of Acrylic latex.

Admin  pro painter

[Snap]

Any need to bleach or tsp to kill the creatures creating the black marks? (not sure if it's mildew or mold; we live amoung the oak trees in the northeast).

[Lynjowoman]

Hi Snap,

We have found that, here in the South, exterior oil based paints and stains are food for mold and mildew. Pressure wash and make the switch.

Good Luck with the project,

Lynjowoman  pro painter

[admin]

The black marks are most likely mildew stains. A solution of one part bleach and four parts water will kill the mildew but will not remove dirt. TSP can be added to the solution in order to remove the dirt. Allow the solution to stand on the surface  (about five min.) before power washing it off. Rinse it well and allow the siding to dry for at least a week before you start staining.

Admin pro painter