The front of this home gets a solid 6+ hours of sun per day. As a result the stain breaks down from the UV. We pressure washed the siding prior to staining the wood siding to remove dirt, dust and bird droppings.
We applied one coat of stain to the front of the home. We brushed the stain onto the siding. Due to the front of the home being in direct sunlight all morning, we opted to start at noon. By then the sun had largely moved off the front allowing us to apply the stain with out the material flash drying (bad).
When paint and stain flash dry, it dries almost instantly. While at first this may seem like a good thing, but actually its not. House paint and stain are designed to remain workable for a certain period of time. When denied that time, the material can break down prematurely. This can also lead to other undesirable effects, such as brush marks and overspray lapping that was denied the time it needed to self level.
We also painted the garage door frame, and a window frame on the rear of the home. (not pictured)
Something to remember with stain, you are only supposed to do 1 coat. The reason for this is the stain is designed to soak into the wood and then seal the wood. When you apply more than one coat of stain, your wasting your money. The second coat of stain will just lay on the surface and not do anything except peal off.
Ladder Safety
I am a stickler for safety, normally our ladders would never be in that position, however there was no way to make it work with out it being on an angle due to the landscaping. However being in a corner like that, its not going anywhere.
However due to the pitch of the roof, I had to stand on the bottom rung so Stacy could climb on to the roof. Never step above a gutter on an extension ladder with out someone standing on the bottom rung – the ladder will kick out due to leverage at the top.
Our ladders are 1A ladders rated for 300lbs. Much heavier duty than your typical extension ladder.
Stacy laid a drop cloth on the roof to apply stain to the south side short wall. The drop provides for a safe work surface since the roof was very hot, as well as prevent drips from getting onto the roof.
All done. It came out nice.
The product we used is Benjamin Moore ArborCoat. Its not cheap, but it is considered the best exterior stain available locally. When it comes to exterior painting projects, the majority of a job’s cost is labor. We only use the best stuff we can get our hands on.
716-697-3560
With over 25 years of experience in residential construction, Dave specializes in ceiling repairs and high-end interior painting, often exceeding contractual obligations to ensure the highest level of craftsmanship. His ability to maintain exceptional customer satisfaction in such a demanding field is a testament to his expertise, integrity, and dedication to quality.
Dave Carrigan Jr. is the owner of Carrigan Painting, a 5-star-rated residential painting and plaster repair company serving the first- and second-ring northern suburbs of Buffalo, NY. For 15 consecutive years, Carrigan Painting has maintained a perfect 5-star reputation—an achievement nearly unmatched in the industry.
As the author of The Painter’s Plastering Blog, Dave shares expert insights on home improvement, plaster restoration, and industry trends. He also personally manages Carrigan Painting’s website and YouTube channel, providing homeowners with valuable resources and a firsthand look at the company’s craftsmanship.
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Explore Carrigan Painting’s work:
🔹 Interior Painting | 🔹 Ceiling Repairs | 🔹 Plaster Repair | 🔹 Drywall Repair
Carrigan Painting’s F.A.Q. here.
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