Weather-sealing a wrap-around porch?

gone-a-milkin · #1 04/12/11, 10:26 PM

Some folks I do landscaping/house reno work for have asked me to put a coating of Thompson's Weather Seal (with colorant) on this deck at their house.

What is the best method to apply it?
Treated 2x6's, well aged and kind of rough (in places).

I do not want to get any of it on the pretty yellow vinyl siding.
Last summer I primed and painted the railing around this whole thing, it took forever.
2 by 2's on a six inch spacing around the whole house and 4 different sets of steps.

I do not want to get Thompsons on that white railing either.

~ Am I going to have to paint it all with a brush?
I am thinking the pump sprayer will make me a danged mess....?

Any ideas? I know it will look wonderful when its done, and I WILL brush it on (if I have to)

Any other ideas?

gone-a-milkin · #2 04/13/11, 09:16 AM

anyone?

Does that mean I am just going to have to bite the bullet and spend days painting boards on my hands and knees?
Oh well, wouldn't be the first time.

Our Little Farm · #3 04/13/11, 09:22 AM

I hate to say it, but I think you already know the answer. In order to not get it on the siding and the railings, the best way to do it by brush.

Get a kneeling cushion.

NorthCountryWd · #4 04/13/11, 12:53 PM

You should be able to adjust the sprayer to get close and just brush the few inches closest the the siding. Do the areas closer to the siding when the pressure from pumping drops. Less splatter.

Bearfootfarm · #5 04/13/11, 01:04 PM

I'd try a long nap roller with a handle long enough so you can stand up

gone-a-milkin · #6 04/13/11, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

I'd try a long nap roller with a handle long enough so you can stand up

AHA! Now there is an idea. Thanks!

DAVID In Wisconsin · #7 04/13/11, 06:29 PM

You can roll or spray it. If you spray be sure to tape off anything you don't want water sealer on as it doesn't easily come off. Also FYI there are many water sealers out there that seem to be superior to Thompsons at the same price. I'm a painter and I haven't used Thompsons in several years. Use a deck cleaner and let it dry for a few days before you apply a sealer. The deck cleaners can applied with a common pump garden sprayer and you don't have to tape off siding and such. Then rinse with a hose.

Marilyn · #8 04/13/11, 08:38 PM

I know it's tedious, but I think any sealer does a better job if it's brushed in.

tiogacounty · #9 04/14/11, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAVID In Wisconsin

You can roll or spray it. If you spray be sure to tape off anything you don't want water sealer on as it doesn't easily come off. Also FYI there are many water sealers out there that seem to be superior to Thompsons at the same price. I'm a painter and I haven't used Thompsons in several years. Use a deck cleaner and let it dry for a few days before you apply a sealer. The deck cleaners can applied with a common pump garden sprayer and you don't have to tape off siding and such. Then rinse with a hose.

Dave, I agree that you might be less than impressed with Thompsons if you haven't tried it in a few years. That said, they have a newer Cedar tone, UV resistant formula that works real well and lasts. I had my painter do a handful of decks last year. He pressure washed, did some light sanding and repairs, then soaked them with thompsons until they wouldn't take anymore. A year later. they still bead water nicely, and look good.

Alice In TX/MO · #10 04/14/11, 07:53 AM

Thompson's isn't the best product.

http://www.paintsource.net/pages/sol...ck_coating.htm

Bearfootfarm · #11 04/14/11, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Thompson's isn't the best product.

http://www.paintsource.net/pages/sol...ck_coating.htm

That may be true, but I'd prefer to hear it from an independent source that isn't SELLING the competition's products

gone-a-milkin · #12 04/14/11, 10:07 AM

In my case, the product is already purchased. It is Thompson's.
I didn't buy it, but I will be the one applying it.
I will let you know how it goes.

Alice In TX/MO · #13 04/14/11, 01:20 PM

It's well known that Thompson's is just temporary and not one of the best. I'll let you all google it.

oregon woodsmok · #14 04/14/11, 02:06 PM

If it is a large area, I use a sprayer for the center, a long handled roller for the edges, and a paint brush and long handled paint shield for the very close edge. I use one of those paint rollers that sucks the paint up from the can with tubing, so I don't have to dip the roller.

It's nice if you can get a second person to stand around and move the paint shield into position.