Painting House Exterior Advice

[wildmandy]

Hi.
I am going to paint the exterior of my house and need a little help.
I have bought Wickes white Master Smooth Masonry paint.

1) what best to use to fill-in some hairline cracks (not in the bricks, but in the plaster/mortar). I bumped into someone in Wickes and he said go for the powdered, self-mix cement-based stuff, but for ease of use reasons, I would prefer to use a tube-based type. Any suggestions?

2) Is it necessary to seal the filler after aplication, and how?

3) Should I apply the paint (water-based) neat, or dilute it?

4) what paint to use on the facias? I was considering what Wickes call external satin, which I believe is water-based, but perhaps an oil-based gloss would be better?

5) I have a black band all along the bottom. I am guessing this is bitumen paint, but am not sure.

6) For the window frames (wood), do I use stain or varnish (is their a difference)?

Thanks,
Mandy

 

[Zampa]

1...try using ordinary polyfilla but add 30% waterproof pva to the water you use to mix it with...dont leave it too proud its hard to rub down..dab with a sponge to blend it into the existing surface.

2. Not 'seal' as such but ive your only doing one coat then youll need to give the filler a coat first.

3..if its been painted before then no..otherwise thin the first coat by about 25%

4 personally I think your right about the gloss...but if you want to use the satin make sure you rub down the existing stuff well firstand undercoat it with oil based undercoat

5..if its a browny black and shows sings of aging it could well be bitumen..or it might just be black masonry paint...if your still unsure give it a touch with some il based undercoat and wait and see if a brownish stain bleeds through

6...depends on the state of the windows at the moment...remember varnish ownt cover anything up...stain...like sadolin or sikkiens will

 

[wildmandy]

Thank you, excellent stuff.

Mandy