Hey everyone, I'm looking for some advice on repainting my basement window sills, which are wooden and about 50 years old. I did this about 3-4 years ago but it hasn't held up well—now I'm back to scraping, sanding, and removing all the old paint and caulking because it's flaking and chipping off. I really don't want to do this again anytime soon, preferably not for another 10 years! Here's my plan for the process this time: Step 1 is to remove all the paint and caulking; Step 2 is to chip out any rotted wood; Step 3 involves using "PC Petrifier wood hardener" to strengthen the wood; Step 4 is filling cracks with "PC Woody" epoxy; Step 5 is sanding everything smooth; Step 6 is cleaning with mineral spirits; Step 7 involves using a tack cloth to remove dust; Step 8 will be caulking the seams (looking for recommendations for good caulk in Canada); Step 9 is to prime with Sherwin-Williams oil-based exterior primer; and Step 10 is to apply 3 coats of Sherwin-Williams Duration exterior paint. I'd really like to know if you think this plan is solid or if I'm missing anything! Thanks!
2 Answers
Your plan looks pretty thorough! One suggestion is to add a couple of coats of marine varnish after painting for added durability. I did this on an exterior door and it lasted 20 years! As for caulk, any high-quality exterior caulk should work well—just look for something flexible to help with movement over time.
Have you considered if there might be a moisture issue? Just curious because my window sills, which were painted 3 years ago, are still in great condition. Sometimes moisture from inside can cause paint to peel, so it might be worth checking if that's a factor for you.
I’ve heard about that too, especially with pressure-treated wood not drying enough before painting. I'll have to keep an eye on that!
That's a great idea! I'll look into that.