"...all the live-long day."

As a Painting Contractor, my work is largely limited to interior and exterior residential renovations of homes. But being a professional that marches to the beat of a different drum, I'm always on the lookout for something a bit...different. Historic signs, old buckboard wagons, restoring 1940s cigarette machines or chrome-laden midcentury bicycles, maybe repainting a small lighthouse -- the more unusual the project, the more appeal it holds to me. 

After reaching out to Downeast Scenic Railroad and corresponding over a few months (due to a comically late letter that apparently spent a few months bouncing around various USPS sort facilities) I was invited to take a private tour of the railyard to discuss future work. 

To say I was "geeking out" is an understatement. If the details can be hammered out to benefit all parties (and there are many), I think this may be the most exciting project Gatcomb Painting & Design has ever undertaken. Looking forward to 2021! 

- Ol' Boxcar Gatcomb (Erick) 

And just like that, we deck-lared the exterior season to be over. 

After an unseasonably warm start to November, the snow (and accompanying cold wind) moved in to remind us winter was indeed on the way. Luckily, we were able to finish this deck preservation project on Green Lake while the weather was still agreeable. 

As is common in the northeast, the battle to find a durable deck paint left this deck a smorgasbord of architectural coatings -- stain, new paint, old paint, even the dreaded miracle-in-a-can too-good-to-be-true supercoating that was the subject of a class-action lawsuit. 

Sometimes you need to start with a blank canvas, and that's just how we treated this deck. Fasteners were set, the substrate was stripped and sanded, and then two coats of SuperDeck IR Reflective waterborne solid stain was applied to all surfaces.  If our Deck Care Guidelines are followed, this outdoor recreational area will last for many years. 

And just what are the Gatcomb Painting & Design Deck Care Guidelines? Well, they're mainly common sense protocols that ensure you get the most life out of your horizontal surfaces. A few of our recommendations are: 

• Sweep standing water from all horizontal surfaces
• If snow is light and fluffy, sweep it off
• If snow if heavy and wet, remove it with a plastic shovel that doesn't utilize a metal blade
• Perform an annual inspection of the deck and address any areas of concern
• Perform an annual light wash -- apply a deck cleaner, gently scrub with a deck brush, and rinse thoroughly 
• Consider applying a protective coat of stain every year or two after washing
• Keep the surface clear of flora debris that might leave tannin stains (leaves, acorns, sticks, etc.) 

Also consider our Annual Maintenance Program. Our A.M.P. provides ultimate peace of mind -- we show up each season to assess your home, communicate with you directly to make recommendations, and perform any necessary work (only upon your approval). No need to perform your own inspections or to schedule repairs -- the Gatcomb Painting & Design Annual Maintenance Program is designed to keep your home looking its best while making to process as easy as possible on the homeowner. 

ADDENDUM
You may have noticed that rotting siding near the downspout in the first two photos of this post. A valid concern, indeed, and one that made the Add-On list. What was initially thought to be a compromised 18" piece of cedar siding turned out to be two courses of extensive rot. 

The rotten siding was torn off and replaced with fresh cedar, sealant was applied where needed, and two coats of stain were applied to protect the siding through the winter.  

Next step: a full exterior repaint/restain.