To paint, or not to paint ...

[SimonH2]

I've been meaning to get round to painting the outside of the house (probably won't manage it this summer, again). I'd sort of just assumed it was already painted, but then I had a surveyor round to quote for cavity insulation and he mentioned that it was self coloured rendering, and painting would simply mean I have to do it again every few years. The house is about 18 years old, and this is the original finish.

I had been advised to use Sandtex Smooth Finish which should fill the hairline shrinkage cracks of which there are many. So now I'm wondering which is right - paint or don't paint. Of course, there are various fittings (not least the brackets for the TV aerial visible in one picture) that have left rust stains down the walls - apart from the general (uneven) brown and green buildup.

Lastly, I think the wall just to the left of the Land Rover has been painted in the past. It was generally green and manky, so I pressure washed it off while doing the pavings, and most of the paint came off. It still looked better.

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• SimonH2
• 7 May 2013
• 1

Untitled

• SimonH2
• 16 Mar 2011
• 2

Untitled

• SimonH2
• 7 May 2013
• 2

Untitled

• SimonH2
• 16 Mar 2011
• 2

Intention would be to buy some used Kwikstage to work from, and set some (stainless steel) eyes in the wall to tie it into. There's no flippin way I'm working up ladders for it !

But why do developers insist on using brown pipes on white buildings so that they look more intrusive than they need to be

 

[dcdec]

It looks like it might be tyrolean ( could be wrong, is it heavily textured)?which is an absolute pig to paint, all the cutting in has to be dabbed in and the roller has to be pushed hard against the wall. Spraying is the most effective technique but obviously comes with its own problems.

Paint wise sandtex has a good rep but personally i prefer pliolite for exteriors .

 

[SimonH2]

It looks like it might be tyrolean ( could be wrong, is it heavily textured)?

Yes, it's like roughcast goes after several costs of paint have filled it in a bit.

which is an absolute pig to paint

Yeah, I was rather thinking that myself.

Paint wise sandtex has a good rep but personally i prefer pliolite for exteriors .

Hadn't heard of Pliolite, I'll have a look. How good is it at filling small cracks (mostly 1mm or less) ?

 

[dcdec]

It would fill in very small minor cracks (i.e. more in the surface rather than structure) like you describe but i don't know if the filler properties are better or worse than a water based masonry paint as i tend to fill everything up to be on the safe side.

 

[SimonH2]

Sounds reasonable, what do you normally use for a filler ? Presumably something in a tube with a fine nozzle so it can be gunned in - can't see any other easy way to get it into fine cracks.

Also, I was thinking of attacking the wall first with a pressure washer to remove the dirt and grime - then let it dry off. Apart from not blasting water into the cracks, do you see any problem there ? It's a proper high-pressure industrial job, not one of those "why bother" DIY grade ones.

 

[dcdec]

I use toupret fillers, murex for exteriors and i work it in with my finger to the small cracks.
Pressure washing is a good idea and maybe add a bit of fungicidal wash to the water. It will dry out quick enough on a warm day.

Might add that researching a quote last night i remembered the bedec masonary paint, i havn't used it yet but intend to as they're well known for long lasting, flexibility and good substrate adhesion

 

[SimonH2]

Hmm, I prefer the idea of water based paint - the Pliolite seemed a bit "whiffy" from it's description.

In their leaflet, Bedec have before-after photos that show just the texture and sort of cracks I have. If it will fill them that well then it'll save a heck of a lot of filling. Guess I'll have to try it first.
http://bedec.co.uk/extraflex leaflet.pdf

Thanks for your help. Just need to find the time, weather, and money now