> -----Original Message-----
> From: Met History
> Sent: Monday, August 19, 2002 10:23 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Finally got most of the wax off the screens on the porch...
> 
> 
> I've been toying with the idea of a) marrying someone with a 
> house with porches with wooden floors 
 
If you think paint peeling from concrete is an expensive maintenance
chore, you might want to follow through on this idea to give yourself
some perspective on the matter....

> b) stripping all 
> the paint off, exposing the "natural" concrete (which appears 
> to be a nice sand color).  What's wrong with that?  Stains?  
> Dirt?  Any low-maintenance ideas (but don't suggest marrying 
> a painter). 

Plain concrete would be fine. An occasional gentle power wash with mild
detergent will take care of any stains and dirt that will accumulate;
but get someone that knows what they are doing...don't let them
hydro-mine the floor. Especially don't let someone try to talk you into
removing the paint with a power washer. 

You probably won't be able to get all the paint film off everywhere
without some erosion of the concrete floor; what will the surface look
like then? You'll probably have some paint left somewhere...the surface
finish won't be as uniform as you would wish it to be.

Consider a fluid-applied acrylic elastomeric coating. I've been very
pleased with its performance on my concrete front porch...tough,
flexible, durable in color, long-wearing, easily renewed. You want to be
certain that your prep work is flawless, but once you get it down tight,
it'll stay for good. Unless you are an abuser; then nothing is safe. 

___________________________________________________________
Dan Becker,  Exec. Dir.   "Have nothing in your house that
Raleigh Historic              you do not know to be useful
Districts Commission          or believe to be beautiful."
[log in to unmask]                         -- William Morris  
919/890-3678

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