I’ve always liked the ICI/Dulux line, because they have large resources, big r&d dollars, and many product choices from which to cherry-pick a great line of paints.

Funny thing is; after over 10 years, Americans still don’t recognize the ICI name brand, and so they’ve changed the name back to Glidden, for that warm, familiar name recognition (or so I heard: Perhaps AkzoNobel just wants to distance themselves from their old moniker). In any case, be aware that when you buy Glidden, it is backed by a longstanding, international company with great r&d and the resources to put out a truly solid, dependable product line. Check out their web-site!

The Original PREPLESS PRIMER™

“PrepLess” was designed and engineered to meet the needs of the hazardous materials abatement industry.  PrepLess in liquid form is a milky white color that when applied dries clear yet remains tacky to the touch.  It is known as a bridging encapsulant for abatement of asbestos containing materials and lead based paint. PrepLess penetrates and softens deteriorating lead based paint. It’s tremendous adhesion properties can help to reattach loose and flaking paint back onto the substrate, which reduces or eliminates the generation of hazardous waste associated with hazardous materials. PrepLess is a waterproof yet breathable coating with superior water vapor transmission and does not allow water to be trapped under the surface of the coating which is a common reason for coatings to crack and fail.  With 4000% elongation PrepLess expands and contracts with substrate movement caused by the rise and fall in climate temperatures and seismic vibration.  PrepLess contains no VOC’s or ODS’s making it a super-compliant architectural green coating.

Global Encasement has an array of great products including roofing coats, rust encapsulants, and lead/asbestos abatement products.

 A description follows:

(Peel Bond) is a unique, ultra high build, water based, bonding primer/sealer. It will bond-to and seal a wide rangeof construction materials. It can reduce the cracking and peeling of the top coat paint by remaining flexible over the life of the paint.

It is not a complete substitute for all surface preparation and allsurface conditions.

Product Use: Trim Magic is an ideal penetrating prime coat for wood, plywood, hardboard and T1-11 siding, especially for trim and sills. It also is an excellent primer for other architectural construction materials including: stucco, brick, aluminum, galvanized metal, fiberglass, PVC plastic and PVC siding, and previously painted surfaces.

Top-coat with latex or elastomeric paints only.

Note: Trim Magic will not reattach loose or peeling paint. Trim Magic will not resolve underlying moisture problems inherent in or behind the substrate.

To get our hands on this product in the Bay Area, we contacted Janco Inc, a wholesale distributor in Berkeley (jancopaintsupplies.com), and they set up a sale through East Bay Paints.

All renovators working on affected projects must supply owners and occupants with the pamphlet “Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for families, Child Care providers and Schools” Certified renovators also must train their employees, post signs, inspect for cleanliness and keep records. These rules don’t apply to owner/builders.

In San Francisco, painting contractors already must follow strict lead-based  paint removal guidelines, but the RRP Certification  is a Federal (EPA/HUD) requirement. Unfortunately there seems to be very little public awareness on this issue (despite extremely stiff penalties for non-compliance), and my guess is that most contracting firms are as of yet un-certified (we are!).  More information can be found at www.epa.gov/lead

We have re-created plinth blocks and panel “on-lays” using the TAP Silicone RTV mold-making system (Two parts.) A description:

“TAP Silicone RTV Mold-Making System is a complete mold making system that can be used to make virtually any type of mold. TAP Silicone RTV is a two component, tin catalyzed, room temperature cured silicone rubber. It has very low shrinkage, excellent long-term retention of rubber properties and accurate detail reproduction. It is excellent for casting cement, vinyl, wax, plaster, low-melt metals, urethane resins, epoxy resins and polyester resins. It is a safe product to use when directions are followed fully. TAP Silicone has a 6-8 hour demold time allowing two part molds to be completed in one day”.

Once the mold has been made, fill it with TAP “Quick Casting Resin;” A really cool product! Stir the two liquids for a minute or so, then 5 minutes later it catalyses before your eyes to a hardened plastic!

“A fast curing polyurethane casting resin system that is faster and safer to use than polyesters. It is a two component (Side A and Side B), low viscosity, fast-curing, and non-rising material that produces high-detailed replicas in minutes. Virtually no shrinkage. There is approximately 2 minutes working time. Full cure in 5 to 10 minutes. It cures to a durable ivory finish.

For replicating plaster details and other sculpted items, we recomment TAP “Magic Sculpt”, an epoxy sculpting clay that becomes rock-solid overnight:

“An artist’s alternative to potters’ compounds. Creates extra-fine, highly detailed sculpture projects. A durable two-component epoxy that can be sanded and drilled. Mixed components have a clay consistency with about 1-2 hours of working time. Cures at room temperature to a strong rock hard finish. Also makes an excellent repair putty with tremendous strength and adhesive property. Paint or pigment with color”.

These products are lots of fun to use, so enjoy!

“It quickly kills rust and neutralizes it completely. Water based “1″ STEP rust converter works by a chemical reaction to eliminate rust and covers up to 500 sq. ft. per gallon.

Features:
Non-flammable-low VOC; Water based treatment; Dries Clear; Approved for use on all non-food contact surfaces; Protects against future corrosion; Non-toxic and emits no harmful fumes; Easy to use; May be top coated with paint; Eliminates and kill rust dead”

I had some concern about the adhesion of this product to a factory-finished  surface, and  I was also crossing my fingers on the rust issue. I am happy to say that IPI “1 step” stuck just fine, and a year later it’s still holding strong, with no rust visible. A side note: “1 step is a bit of a mis-nomer, as it’s best to apply two coats.

Had it been foggy or forecast for rain, we may have used Sherwin Williams “Resilience”. With MoistureGuard™ technology, “Resilience” cures in about half the time of most conventional exterior paints. “Resilience” also has excellent hide.

We removed a ton of loose paint using scrapers and heat, then sealed the bare wood with a slow-drying alkyd primer. On one area where the wood was really beat-up and soft, we applied a coat of Zinsser’s “Peel-stop”. We don’t really use this product to prevent loose paint from peeling, but we have found it to be a great (eco-friendly) solution for hardening a soft wood substrate prior to priming. We’ve also used this product on soft, punky cedar shakes and it worked great! Creating a solid, sound substrate is key for getting primer and paint to stay put.