Synopsis: This is a cautionary tale. A seriously disturbed couple find the charming, old ruin of a Queen Anne Victorian in Russellville, Arkansas, and buy it for $1.00. They tore the roof off, cut it in half, and had it moved to some land they owned sixteen miles away because they didn't know any better. Since then, they have hired and fired contractors, had all of their tools stolen, re-wired, re-plumbed, insulated, and essentially rebuilt the entire house. Their only problem is that after four years it still isn't finished. Now they are tired, broke, and wonder what in the hell it is they've done to themselves. And, it's haunted.
(Last updated on April 3, 2008)
Art: From time to time, I receive requests for my art. If you would like to look at more of my art, go to
The Failed Artist. If you would like to buy my art,
email me. I am more than happy to answer any questions you might have. Thanks!
What Do You Prime Your Wood Siding With? - Another Call for Help
I picked up a copy of this month's Old House Journal last week. It has a very interesting article about maintaining a good exterior paint job on an old house. They recommend using an alkyd resin primer for priming the bare wood before painting. We'd always heard you should use a linseed oil/mineral spirit (70%/30%) mix to prime/condition the wood. This Old House Journal doesn't recommend this because "it seems to feed insects and fungi that eat wood."
Does anyone know anything about this?
What do you use?
Website Counter
2 Comments:
Here is a recipe for primer paint in 1909.
100 lbs. pure white lead; 6-7 gallons pure raw linseed oil; 1 gallon pure turpentine; 1 1/2 pints pure turpentine japan.
It was also common to paint in colder months so the paint would take longer to cure and thus provide a better resinous coating.
Linseed oil forms a resinous skin when it hardens. It should prevent insects and fungus unless the spores are already in the wood. I have used thinned linseed oil to preserve wood and then primed with acrylic paint. In about 4 more years oil paint will be a thing of the past. Stores are already discontinuing it and charge more fore it.
the best thing is to use a standard oil primer in a good brand, like Zinzer or Sherwin Williams. It makes all the difference in the world in longevity of the final job. Then use latex for your paint coat.
Don't scrimp on the prep work. Make sure the max effort is put into the scraping and priming and the paint will go easy and last long...
Post a Comment
<< Home