Anybody Paint Their Own House?

[rcecale]

Nice work, Denis. I'll give you a call in 5 years or so (when mine needs to be repainted again) and have you fly out. We got a spare room, with direct access to the kitchen and you can use the pool all you want....providing you're getting your chores finished and all that!

Seriously though. Nice work. Exterior painting is definitely something to be left to you professionals.

Randy

[speeder]

Not bad for a Democrat, huh Randy?

[tabs]

When I paint I take the whole bucket of paint and just pour it over myself, then I just roll myself against the wall....Mother says it makes a nice decorative effect.... I find it saves time by pouring the paint over myself, rather than gettting a drop or 2 of it on me at a time...it usually ends up the same way either way I do it...

[911Rob]

I've contracted out hundreds of painting jobs, of course that's the easiest. But if you want to do it yourself, go for it.

I still work on some of my places myself; the only thing I'd recommend is buying everything you need to do a first class job. Not $1 rollers and 50cent scrapers.... buy the best gas powered power washer and a really good compressor and spray gun. You'll love it, and then have the tools for playing in the future.

Dont do it if you're not going to use the best tools and equipment out there! Be ready to do thourough clean up after each days work. Get professional help in choosing the colors though, it can make or break your place.

PS: Nice crib Randy!

[911Rob]

One of my current homes; professionally painted though



Post the results when you're done

[tabs]

Rob....U ...U.....have Greeeeen....ahhhhh.......how nice and cool looking.....refreshing......

[Victor]

Originally posted by tabs
When I paint I take the whole bucket of paint and just pour it over myself, then I just roll myself against the wall....Mother says it makes a nice decorative effect.... I find it saves time by pouring the paint over myself, rather than gettting a drop or 2 of it on me at a time...it usually ends up the same way either way I do it...

YOU have a mother ?!!?

But seriously - please do not try to do the job yourself. I just had my place painted - the arguments with the painting crew got pretty heated at times but at least I did not have to spend a month up a ladder.

[rcecale]

Originally posted by speeder
Not bad for a Democrat, huh Randy?

Imagine MY surprise!

Randy

[Paul K]

Rob- cool color combination...(check my earlier post!) It seems the consensus is to let the pros do it- That's what I'll do next time!
Cheers,
Paul.

[targa911S]

Painted mine last year. Got like 8 bids before I talked to a guy that works with me that paints on the weekends to pay for his NASCAR habit.
He was the lowest at $1,800.00 and I buy the materials to pressure wash, prime and paint. So being that I always like a better deal, I asked him if there was a way to cut the cost. He said he could get it down to $900.00. I asked how. He said "Grab a brush!" I did. Took us two weekends.

[rcecale]

Originally posted by 911Rob
PS: Nice crib Randy!

After looking at the pics of yours from that other thread, this is quite the compliment! Thanks, Rob!!!

Randy

[RickM]

If you spray your house consider it practice for doing your 911

[legion]

I'm going home for lunch to check on the painters in ten minutes...

Either the last paint job on my house was poorly prepped, or it's been a LONG time since the house was painted, but the paint is flaking off left and right. I did a summer stint as a house painter in college. I am well aware of the prep work involved in my case. A quick estimate told me it would take me (working alone) about a month to a month and a half to properly prep the house for painting, and another couple of weekends to actually paint. I decided to hire someone.

I went with a college painting crew. Having done this myself, I am well aware of the risks. The thing that sold me was that my house would be the "training house". They are going to train all of the painters on the proper ways of doing things (so that they can, on later houses, put the blame on the painters when they don't give them enough time to get their houses properly done). Further, being the first house of the season, they are going to take pictures to use in their sales to other customers. Absent of these things, I would have gone with a professional crew.

[RickM]

College kids for the job seems like a great way to go. I'd just insist on seeing proof of insurance.

[Dingo Joe]

Originally posted by JanusCole
Hey, thanks for the great replies! I'd never before heard of "Hardy Board" and now I'm thinking that it (or something like it) might rock. Maybe paint it on the ground with a sprayer and then rip the old wood off with a crowbar. Attach the new siding and declare victory. Are there any composite siding products that don't need paint? This might be a good time to make a permanent change.

Hardi Board is not for the regular do-it-yourselfer, nor is siding a house. Painting, yes, but seeing how you even posed the question in the first place, I's certainly suggest not doing the hardi board yourself. But, do have someone else do it, looks great, will last a lifetime if installed correctly...

[911Rob]

Hardi-Board or siding is a good option however I also recommend choosing a design that allows all the cuts to be concealled. Use large corner battens and window battens that allow the cut ends to be tucked under. Dont choose a design that allows cut ends to be exposed...... will always look like crap in the end no matter who installs it.

Keep us posted as to what you do, and post pics..... we love pics!

Another color combo from a trailer/cabin that I bought "yellow & brown" which was buck ugly. ...... . The handrails were eventually done in trim color and front door Royal Blue; looks very good. I used that 'rubber' paint product which lasts for years.

[RickM]

Originally posted by Dingo Joe
Hardi Board is not for the regular do-it-yourself, nor is siding a house. Painting, yes, but seeing how you even posed the question in the first place, I's certainly suggest not doing the hardi board yourself. But, do have someone else do it, looks great, will last a lifetime if installed correctly...

You'll need a good electric shear or Pneumatic Guillotine type shear to cut the stuff as well. A special blade in a circular saw works but the dust is nasty.

[911Rob]

nasty is an understatement!

[911S Targa]

Im in the process of painting my own house. Have most of the trim done ( about 75%). Next step is to paint all the sides of the house once I'm done with all the trim. I ( personally) dont see what the issue is with doing it your self. Sure its alot of work, and takes time, but its well worth it when you do the job yourself, knowing you saved a load on money, and you did it yourself. Kinda like when you work on your 911 yourself. But then, I guess since my house is only 2000 sqft, its not that big of a job.

[RickM]

I was going to get one of these puppys to redo part of my Redwood deck. It's called a Power Paint Remover. It uses a carbide disk to strip paint quickly. Can't get better than that.
The reviews are extremely informative.
http://the-internet-eye.com/r-551236/m-Tools/b-552986/a-B0000222YQ/Default.aspx

Best price is a recon unit from Porter-Cable. Or perhaps Toolman can give you a deal. http://portercable.cpoworkshop.com/specialty_tools/power_paint_removers/

Ebay @ $128 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20782&item=4383661745&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW