Tf your vinyl siding is starting to fade, Home Improvement don’t despair as it is simple to repaint it If your vinyl siding is starting-to show its age, why not give it a long-lasting facelift with a top quality latex paint? Yes, vinyl siding can be painted — and at a fraction of the cost of installing new siding panels. While re-siding ai standard-size sub- urban home can cost $10,000 or more, the same house can usually be painted by a professional painting contractor for $2,500 or less. If you do the paint- Paint Quality Institute. The perfor- mance of any type of paint is directly related to the quality and thoroughness of the surface preparation. Remove dirt, grime, chalk and other contaminants from the siding with power-washing equipment that you can obtain at your local equipment rental center. Or simply hand-wash the siding with warm soapy water: then rinse. (Do not wire-brush or sand vinyl sid- ‘Top quality acrylic latex paint is also very flexible, so it can expand and contract with the siding panels when the outside femperature rises or falls’ ing yourself, it will likely cost no more than $500, or only five percent of the cost of contractor-installed siding. Where do you start? Assuming that you’re the do-it-your- self type, how do you go about paint- ing your vinyl siding? Start with good surface preparation, say the experts at the Rohm and Haas z S cs ‘The Aaal = dlecorating | touch to compliment home 4-, We will custom design : your floral = * Silk Plants -— & afrangements * Dried Flowers & wreaths * Living Plants Plus an excellent selection of decorator items for Hallways, Bathrooms, etc. #3 - 2310 BEACON AVE., =. SIDNEY 6 = Environmentalists Start Here Be a part of Canada’s original green movement — with kids. jel ing, as that will mar the surface of the panels.) Next, be sure to select a top quality acrylic latex (water-based) paint. Exposure tests at the Paint Quality Institute show that this type of paint can last seven to 10 years or more, compared to three or four years with ordinary exterior paint. The added durability of top quality acrylic latex paint is due primarily to its superior adhesion, which enables it to grip and tenaciously hold onto vinyl siding and other properly prepared WHO ARE WE? Fabrics - Gorgeous! CONTRACTING WHAT DO WE SELL? Paint - Ames, Glidden and Flecto paints and stains Ceramics - Olympia, Eurotile and Ames Bros. wall and floor ceramics Vinyl Flooring - Armstrong and Mannington linoleums Carpeting - Hundreds of samples from Canadian & American exterior surfaces. In turn, that helps prevent common paint failures like peeling, blistering and flaking. Top quality acrylic latex paint is also very flexible, so it can expand and con- tract with the siding panels when the outside temperature rises or falls. Special additives in the paint help resist mildew; others enhance applica- tion properties. For example, some of these addi- tives help provide a thick, uniform paint film, and’ give the paint superior “leveling,” which helps duplicate the original appearance of the siding, whether it be smooth or textured. It’s true that top quality paint may cost a little more (often $20 to $25 or more per gallon), but it offers a Jot more value. And considering that you can complete the entire do-it-yourself project for just a few hundred’ dollars using even the highest quality paint, it would be shortsighted to buy less than the best. Choosing an appropriate color The Paint Quality Institute offers this final thought on color selection: While it’s perfectly okay to paint vinyl siding a different color than its original tint, you shouldn't use a darker color. Dark colors can cause siding to absorb heat from the sun and lead to buckling of the panels. For more advice about painting vinyl siding and your other home painting needs, ask for help at your local paint or hardware store, or the decorating center nearest you. 5534409 HOW DOES YO DECORATOR MEASURE UP? “ We have been operating in Sidney for the past eleven years, and offer first rate products and professional contracting services. manufacturers Venetian and Vertical Blinds - Abbey & LouverDrape Wallpapers - From all over the world WHAT SERVICES DO WE OFFER? Drop in and use our Glidden computer to colour co-ordinate the interior and exterior of your home. Then take home samples of carpeting, linoleum, ceramic tiles and wallpaper, along with your paint cards to get a “feel” for how it will all go together. If you get befuddled, our on staff interior designer will be happy to offer you free advice either in the convenience of your home or in our store after hours by appointment. Our contractors are all professionals who have spent many years developing their skills. Whether it is installing a new floor Covering or painting the whole house - why take a chance with amateurs when professionals are available? TheReview Wednesday, October 21,1992 — 3 PRIMER-ON PRIMERS RECOMMENDATIONS Prime with quality acrylic or oil primer; use stain-resistant primer for cedar, redwood, mahogany or other staining woods; oil-based primers better for severe staining. SURFACE New Wood Primer not normally required unless paint is very chalky (use oil primer) or bare wood is exposed; glossy surfaces should be sanded! and dusted off before applying the topcoat. Thoroughly sand weathered wood or wood exposed by scraping old paint off; dust off the surface to remove weathered fibers; then apply a quality latex or oil-based stain. Apply. masonry sealer first if surface is very porous; otherwise not necessary. In repaint situation, use sealer if old paint is partly or all removed by scraping or wire brush. Apply acrylic latex or oil-based corrosion resistant primer (two coats is better) before topcoating. Primer is not necessary unless galvanized surface shows sign of rust -- then follow recommendations for “ferrous metals” above; remove any 4 white, powery oxide on aluminum surfaces with coarse steel wool, then ==1_ dust off before applying the paint. UR @ Aluminum, Galvanized Steel SS] SIDNEY’S LEADING COMPLETE HOME DECORATING CENTRE 9773 Fifth St. Sidney 656-2202