Is this paintjob worth $60 an hour???

[rob streeper]

What a mess. Your only solution for a smooth finish with alkyd enamel (sounds and looks like that's what you have) is to strip it off as, if I'm remembering correctly, the substrate is treated lumber and you're already having film separation. Looks like your painter favors brooms for application.
Alkyd's have high solid's content and are very difficult to apply smoothly with a brush. This problem can be mitigated to a degree by use of a flowing agent such as Penetrol but it's really better to roll or preferably spray these paints. If left as is it's likely that the paint will peel heavily over the next seasonal change, perhaps not too bad a result given the current appearance.
If it was mine I'd pressure wash the bad coating off, wait until thoroughly dry, substrate and atmosphere, and then prime with an appropriate outdoor rated primer suited for treated wood. Then I'd use an airless sprayer to apply the alkyd paint.
Hitting the nail on the head appears to be a problem here too.

[rustynail]

Brett, It is the Landlord you should be talking to not the painter. There are many different standards when it comes to painting. The Landlord may be happy enough with what he is getting, who knows. Unless the painter instantly agrees with your criticism, it can only lead to a confrontation. A confrontation in which you have no say.
I remember, some years back, doing some renovation work to town houses in the city for a client. One had a tenant. We ended up charging extra for the constant interference.

[Christos]

It all comes back to the landlord and what he thinks.

And really guys painting is one of the most relaxing things you could do. I said relaxing not boring.

[elanjacobs]

And really guys painting is one of the most relaxing things you could do. I said relaxing not boring.

All the prep work beforehand, especially with plaster, leaves much to be desired though

[Bushmiller]

All the prep work beforehand, especially with plaster, leaves much to be desired though

As somebody who is at this very moment (well not really as it is nearly 2100hrs and a wee bit too dark to paint) painting an old weatherboard house (just post WW1), I whole heartedly agree.

About three layers of probably lead based paint going back to bare board is not top of the fun list.

Regards
Paul

[rwbuild]

Hope your using a dust mask of good quality with that lead paint removal

[Bushmiller]

Hope your using a dust mask of good quality with that lead paint removal

I started off with a P2 type. SWMBO insisted that I use a cannister style mask, but I have to say that combined with goggles, ear plugs and a cap I found it all too claustrophobic and not a little cumbersome. I have gone back to the P2 mask as it seems sufficient. However even the P2 masks vary. I have about three different styles.

The worst problem I have is keeping the dust from my eyes. Hence the reason I am using the safety goggles as opposed to safety glases. Even having them as tight and sealed as possible some dust still seems to work its way in and is a distinct irritant.

Regards
Paul

[rob streeper]

I started off with a P2 type. SWMBO insisted that I use a cannister style mask, but I have to say that combined with goggles, ear plugs and a cap I found it all too claustrophobic and not a little cumbersome. I have gone back to the P2 mask as it seems sufficient. However even the P2 masks vary. I have about three different styles.

The worst problem I have is keeping the dust from my eyes. Hence the reason I am using the safety goggles as opposed to safety glases. Even having them as tight and sealed as possible some dust still seems to work its way in and is a distinct irritant.

Regards
Paul

Hi Paul,

When I was young I remember that exterior lead paint was removed from wood clapboard siding using propane torches. Apparently it worked very well. I don't know if doing so is legal or advisable in your jurisdiction or circumstances.

Regards,
Rob

[Evanism]

http://paintshaver.com/

[Bushmiller]

http://paintshaver.com/

I really like the look of that except I see a couple of problems. It is demonstrated on flat boards. I don't think it would work quite so well on chamfer (shiplap) style cladding because of the curves involved. Secondly it may be impractical to recess the nails so I am not sure how that would impact the cutters. Lastly it is about A$1200 before shipping and import duty, which would be applicable to an item of this value.

Apart from that I was impressed. Oh, and you will need their vacuum sander, unless you can rig up a similar system with your own ROS.

Regards
Paul

[Bushmiller]

I note that we have digressed a tad from Brett's stouch with the painter. Any developments there with regard to the landlord?

Regards
Paul

[FenceFurniture]

Any developments there with regard to the landlord?

Hi Paul, yes the LL and father (the maintenance supervisor, being a mechanical engineer an' all) were up last Saturday to inspect the finished result, and discuss other matters (vege garden walls, fence, new shed, deck progress, et al).

I might point out that the construction job was, in the main, a very neat and efficient build. The clear polycarb roof is like it isn't there particularly when it's overcast, which is exactly the effect I wanted when I proposed the pergola. Harrr, Nursie (avatar) was sitting under it when it started to sprinkle a bit, and even though she wasn't getting wet, she thought she should be, and so she scarpered under the house.

One point that I don't think I've made clear, and which explains why I'm a little pedantic about the finish (as strange as that may seem ) is because this house will be occupied by the current owner in retirement, about a decade away. Therefore it is clearly in her best interest to have things done properly, and not to the usual finish that some people think tenants/landlords should be satisfied with. I'm the coal face, you see. Another guy put the decking boards down (under said pergola) about 8 months ago, and that entire job was typical tenanted house standard - barely there. He screwed up the finishing too - put the oil on the decking boards when he could already hear the thunderstorm coming bigtime - and I pointed out as much - yup, oil splashed up all over the house and through the deck to stuff underneath. Had to come back to repaint the wall as a result - used the wrong paint (high gloss).

I should also make it clear that the guy doing the current job will be doing numerous future tasks/jobs here, and also that we have had a friendship going back about 2 years or so. Now I don't necessarily expect favours or "above and beyond" but I do expect the kind of workmanship that he boasts of ("why do you think I've got so much work" is something I hear around once a week). Particularly when he has my assistance on most jobs which saves him time and money (his two gods).

Anyhoo, when the LL and father were here I noted with not a little schadenfreude that the father said "I'd be prepared to pay for a superior paintjob in future". We had had prior communications about the finishing. One has to wonder if what the father was really saying was received.....

[bsrlee]

He is working in NSW, he MUST be licenced by the Builder's Licencing Board, both as a builder and as a painter. First get his licence number - it must be visible on his truck and/or invoices. No Licence - go straight to the Builder's Licencing Board & they will get their pound of flesh through the courts.

I suspect that the Board will only accept a complaint from the owner, but there is nothing stopping you from making initial enquires on her behalf. Then there is nothing stopping you from writing the complaint and preparing the supporting documentation such as photos - she can sign it at her leisure. You can also attach a signed statutory declaration as to your conversations with the painter, requests for rectification of unsatisfactory work, obsfucation and general stuffing around.

My father was a painter and I did a bit of work for him while I was at school - enough to let me know that painting was NOT the career for me. He would have been disgusted at that standard of work, and even with my limited knowledge of painting I can do a better job without trying too hard.