Painting and Finishing: Build Like A Pro Series
Expert Advice on Painting Interiors and Exteriors Like a Professional

By Michael Dresdner

A Practical Painting and Finishing Guide for the Homeowner

Painting and finishing around the home can be daunting, both from the scale of the work and the bewildering array of finishing options available. But you can save yourself frustration, time, and money with the help of Build Like a Pro: Painting and Finishing. Written by a finishing professional, it’s an authoritative and practical guide to accomplishing the major finishing tasks around the home.

Dresdner covers both the interior and exterior of the house. Especially valuable is his advice on choosing finishes for special-needs projects like kitchens and bathrooms. You get information on floors, furniture and outside projects such as siding and trim. You’ll also discover information on all aspects of preparation and assessment of a job, choosing materials and tools, and application techniques.

Dresdner takes you though each step in the process -- from planning to cleanup -- with detailed step-by-step instructions and hundreds of clear photos and drawings. You’ll learn the tricks and shortcuts the pros use to cut those big painting and finishing projects down to size.

This comprehensive guide covers painting and finishing for:

• Kitchens and bathrooms
• Built-Ins and paneling
• Interior doors, molding and trim
• Floors, stairs and balustrades
• Furniture
• Siding and clapboards
• Exterior doors, windows and trim
• Decks, porches and fences
• Patio furniture and ornamentals

Introduction:

As I was growing up, I watched my dad fix and finish most everything around our house. We weren't well off, so what he did was a necessity, not a hobby. But his workmanship was so exemplary that to me, "do-it-yourself" came to mean "do it right." I also discovered that even though finishing or painting seems confusing when you first approach it, with some clear instructions about what to buy and how to apply it, it's just not that hard. Now, after thirty years as a professional in this field, it is time for me to share what I've learned.

This book is for you, the homeowner who wants to tackle the painting and finishing projects around your house. It's for people of all abilities, and for those with no prior experience. I've set down clear, easy-to-follow instructions on how to paint and finish everything inside and outside your home, from the deck, fences, walls, and patio furniture outside, to the floors, wainscoting, cabinets, and furniture inside. If it is made of wood, this book will show you how to coat it so that it looks great and lasts a long time.

While we're at it, I'll help you cut through the confusing terminology on finish and paint can labels. Instead of being misled by conflicting claims, I'll make sure you know what is on the shelf, what it is used for, and how to apply it. In short, I'll be your guide through this jungle of finishing options.

So take the plunge and tackle that project. I know it seems a bit daunting, but I'll be beside you, in spirit at least, with lots of helpful tips to get you through the sticky parts. In the end, you'll find that the fear of getting started is nothing compared to the ultimate satisfaction of having done it yourself. Give it a try. You'll be amazed at how well you do.

Michael Dresdner is a nationally known finishing expert with over 20 years of experience in the field. He is the author of The New Woodfinishing Book, Wood Finishing Basics DVD, Wood Finishing Fixes, and Build Like a Pro: Painting and Finishing.

Excerpt From The Book:

			Open or download the  PDF file below PaintingandFinishing.pdf

Painting and Finishing: Preparing the Surfaces

Most paint problems can be prevented with good preparation. Here's how to get it done.
by Michael Dresdner

Painting and finishing tasks around the house often don't turn out the way you expect. In Build Like a Pro: Painting and Finishing, Michael Dresdner takes you through each step of the process, giving you the tools to get great-looking results every time.

In this excerpt, Michael shows you how to prevent paint problems by correctly preparing the surface.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

CHAPTER ONE
Start to Finish: The First Steps
Assessing the Job
Choosing a Finish
Gathering the Gear
Preparing the Surface

CHAPTER TWO
Kitchens and Bathrooms
Cabinets and Shelves
Countertops and Work Surfaces
Food Contact Surfaces

CHAPTER THREE
Built-Ins and Paneling
Prefinishes
Stains and Color
Topcoats

CHAPTER FOUR
Interior Doors and Trim
New and Old Wood Preparation
Stains Under Clear Topcoats
Primed and Painted Trim

CHAPTER FIVE
Floors, Stairs, and Balustrades
Stripping and Rough Sanding
Filling and Second Sanding
Applying Stain and Finish
Finishing Stairs and Balustrades

CHAPTER SIX
Furniture
Touching Up and Renewing
Stripping Old Finishes
Sanding, Staining, and Sealing
Applying Clear Finishes

CHAPTER SEVEN
Siding and Clapboards
Preparing the Surfaces
Choosing the Finish
Applying the Finish

CHAPTER EIGHT
Windows, Doors, and Trim
Preparing the Surfaces
Selecting Stain and Clear Sealer
Selecting Paint
Applying the Finish

CHAPTER NINE
Decks, Porches and Fences
Deck Strategies
Choosing the Right Finish
Applying Finishes
Maintaining Finishes

CHAPTER TEN
Patio Furniture and Ornamentals
Clear Finishes
Solid Colors
Painted Gems and Ornamentals

Index
Resources
 

Soft-cover, 9-1/4 x 11 in., 176 pages, with color photos and drawings
Published 2001

ISBN: 978-1-25158-480-2