This Post will cover the topic of clear finish on exterior wood, with an emphasis on wooden doors.

 

 

Exterior wood with a clear finish is a beautiful statement and really shows off the thing that we all love about wood, the grain. This beauty doesn’t come without its share of problems unfortunately. In our climate here along the Great Lakes the finish is attacked by Sun-UV, Moisture, Wind, Windblown sand, Snow, Heat/Cold extremes and the list goes on. By far the biggest cause of failure in clear finishes though, is neglect.

Clear finishes just don’t last as long as some other finishes on wood. Where you might get 5 years of good life out of a properly painted wooden door, you might only get 2 years out of a clear finished door. The reasons for this are fairly complicated and we won’t go into the science of it here. While this may make you think twice about your plans for a clear coated door, the proper maintenance will keep your door looking good for many many years to come. If you are starting fresh with a new door, getting a great job done the first time is key.

Making sure that all 6 sides are sealed and finished with a minimum of three-four coats and that if there is glass that the sealer slightly laps onto the glass will go a long way toward helping your door have a long life. If you have a door that is already showing the effects of weather, don’t despair, just give Ransom Brothers a call! We can take care of most problems with existing clear finishes, but don’t delay! The sooner the door is prepped and refinished the better for the underlying wood and the less chance for a rotting door. Most doors can be refinished onsite with minimal disruption of your daily lives, or we can take it back to the shop and really make it look like new again! If your door is still in good shape we recommend re-sealing it at least every 2 years depending on the amount of sun that the surface gets on a daily basis. This is by far cheaper if done often than dealing with a door that has deteriorating finish. So in conclusion, if you have any exterior wood with a clear finish, it is important to give it a good look and if the wood or finish show any signs of wear or discoloration it is a good idea to get a professional to look at it and evaluate what your options are the sooner the better! Contact us by clicking this link! or by calling (269)637-3748

 

As spring nears and thoughts turn to exterior maintenance and maybe a new color of paint or just a fresh coat to keep things in good shape, it is important to realize a new coat of paint is only as sound as the surface underneath. It is crucial for the old paint not to peel or flake to ensure a paint job that stands the test of time and weather. Here are a few common preparation steps taken by Ransom Brothers LLC on a daily basis that can help you with your project or even to choose the right contractor:

There are many different methods for stripping paint depending on the surface material. Sandblasting is a well-known way to remove paint from metal, concrete, and other hard surfaces. Always use caution or ask a professional about the types of material that are too fragile for sandblasting!

Pressure Washing:

Pressure washing is a great option for prepping home exteriors. Spraying water at high pressure, this is an excellent method for paint removal from wood, masonry, and concrete exteriors.  Please be aware that high pressure water can be dangerous and can also be harmful to wood and other exterior materials if not done right so we always recommend calling your local professionals at Ransom Brothers LLC for all your pressure washing projects. If you choose to take on a pressure washing job yourself keep in mind a few tips: Keep the end of the spray wand moving at all times, if you stop in the middle of a pass, the water can leave a line or just plain tear up the surface. Also be careful to never aim the high pressure water at people or pets. Pressure washing is also a great option to clean up surfaces that don’t require paint, such as vinyl siding or composite decks. Ransom Brothers LLC has the experience and the ability to help with these projects as well.

 

 

Paint stripping:

There are times when a pressure washer may not be the answer. If your project is a deck or wood siding that you want to restore to natural wood or stain, paint stripping is the answer. Industrial paint strippers are made up of powerful chemicals so we never recommend these products for the average do it yourselfer, but if you choose to tackle a project like this please follow all the precautions from the manufacturer, they are for your safety, and we find that we even go beyond their safety measures when we use paint stripper! It is often necessary after the stripper has done its work to finish by scraping or pressure washing or both.

 

 

Scraping:

Every painter’s least favorite task, scraping is none the less one of the most important jobs before paint is applied. For newer houses scraping is often minimal, but there are very few jobs that have no scraping at all. A good scraping job can make the difference between a job lasting for years or only looking good for a matter of months. Ransom Brothers LLC doesn’t cut corners when it comes to scraping or any prep-task for that matter, so our customers can be assured of a top quality job that will last as long as possible.

 

 

 

Prep work often makes the difference in the final result of a paint job and yet it’s the one that is easy to skip over to save time. Don’t make the mistake of skipping prep this spring! The final job is always worth the extra time and effort!  For help with any of your prep jobs this spring click the Contact Us link and we at Ransom Brothers LLC will be happy to give you a hand or just some friendly advice.