McCloskey primer and paint in one, good idea?

[Greg Thomas]

Our house is approximately 25 years old and is brick most of the way up.  We are only painting the trim, overhangs and whatever the sloping sides above the brick are called (excuse my ignorance, the words not coming to me right now).  The west side of the house has some peeling paint and the east side shows some signs of chalking.  The pitch of the roof is quite shallow so all areas should be easy to reach.  I'm planning on scraping off all the peeling paint with a stiff broom then power washing.  Will a stiff broom be enough or should I use an actual paint scraper?  I plan to scrub the chalking paint off with the broom after I wet it down then rewashing it until the chalking is completely gone.  Is this appropriate preparation.  And, is the McCloskey all in one paint a good paint or should I go with some type of primer then an exterior paint.  Feel free to provide suggestions.  I have access to a walmart which carries color place, kilz and McCloskey, a lowes and a Sherwin Williams.  I would like fairly good quality paints without spending an arm and a leg so if Lowes or walmart paint is actually acceptable then I'm OK with it.  There really isn't much to paint so I'm not going to go broke one way or the other.  Also, I have access to a Wagoner power painter, should I use this or stick with rollers and brushes, I'm literally talking less than 1000 total square feet of painting to do.  Sorry for all the questions.  Thanks in advance for the input, Greg

[rmichael]

Hi Greg,

First..Clean the surfaces you plan to paint. I recommend that you use a power washer with a siphon feed tube for the cleaning solution. A combination of household bleach and TSP ( Tri sodium phosphate found at most hardware and paint stores NOTE always follow labeled mixing directions ) is often used. The bleach will kill any mold or mildew and the TSP will remove dirt grease or grime.
Most machines will cut the solution to the proper percentage for cleaning, all you do is drop the siphon tube into the solution and apply with the soaker tip. Allow the solution to remain of the surface for about 5-10 min. then wash off the surface with the power tip, this should remove the chaulking.
After you have power cleaned and power rinsed, allow the surface to dry for at least a week.
After the surface has dried scrape off the peeling paint with a paint scraper. Prime all surfaces with an acrylic exterior primer. Finish with two coats of 100% Acrylic exterior paint. Since you are only painting trim a sprayer may not be worth the ( masking) effort, a brush and roller is likely the best bet.

Hope this Helps,
rmichael  propainter

[Greg Thomas]

Sounds good.  So, basically you would suggest going with a seperate primer and paint versus an all in one?  Any suggestions on brands (if thats OK to list here), lowes, walmart, sherwin williams, kilz etc.?.

Is the TSP a powder or liquid?
 
I've got a couple of weeks before the project begins so I want to get everything straight before I start.  

Thanks again, Greg

[rmichael]

Greg,

TSP is available at most hardware and paint stores in powder form. It is safe to mix it into household bleach but be sure to stir until the powder is dissolved. Mix per labeled instructions.

With the options you mentioned I would lean toward Sherwin Williams paint and primer simply because Sherwin Williams is primarily a Paint Store with no generic labels.
Ask the clerk for an acrylic latex exterior primer and a 100% acrylic latex house paint. Price will determine the quality, however, if they will sell you the Contractor's Paint you could get an above spec. paint for a much better price.

Hope this helps
rmichael pro painter

[Greg Thomas]

Thanks again, I called today and the TSP is cheap!  I'll ask about the contractor paint and see what I come up with.  If possible I'll post before and after pics although it will be a few weeks.  Thanks again, Greg