There comes a time in every homeowner’s life when, while squinting at the peeling edges of your trim, you say, “Yes, it’s time.” Not “time for a professional,” because obviously, HHH and I are weekend warriors with paint buckets and ladders. The time for these top-notch DIY-ers to spring to action had come, and we decided to paint it ourselves.
This is how HHH found himself, paintbrush in hand, balancing like a caffeinated mountain goat on the second rung of a ladder, gazing lovingly at our white house. Built in 2004 with raised trim around the doors, windows, both the trim and body of the house were the same color. A color we now know Lowe’s offers under the name “Nice White”.
Planning this project all summer, the games began a week ago. Windows and screens needed cleaning, which dovetailed with washing the entire house before painting. HHH started with the back windows, leaving the front for last.
While painting window trim in the front, HHH noticed some movement down the road. Three troublemaking mustangs sauntered right in front of Winterpast, but continued to walk on by. Of course, not before leaving us a present. The best thing of all was that they ignored the new landscaping, which means that the lion-pee-laced-hog-deterring-nuggets are working!! A win for us.
Naturally, once you start painting trim, you discover all kinds of secrets your house has been hiding. Small portions of railing have transformed into “wood-colored sponge cake” thanks to years of moisture and wood rot. It’s important to check your house every few years.
After quickly emptying the first gallon can of Elastomeric paint, it was time to return to the paint counter at Lowe’s. We approached with our carefully chosen color swatch, “Zanzibar Spice”. And there, we waited. It’s not good to keep your customers waiting so long, they learn the “Help” button cycle. Across the entire store, people everywhere could hear that customers were waiting at the paint department. After quite some time, the Queen of Paint arrived.
Ordering five gallons, we left her to do the mixing, but not before HHH witnessed her wiping away 1/2 the tint that should’ve gone into the paint. Yes. Stray drops fell on the lid, only to be whisked away by Little Miss Helpful.
When we got home and opened the paint, the color was wrong. Quite a bit lighter than that already painted on the trim. Back to Lowe’s, we got another associate to mix up a new five-gallon bucket, which was a correct match. It seems many situations end up like that these days. Very sad.
Over the last eight days, HHH has painted trim in the heat and wind. Slowly and surely, Winterpast is glowing. The fresh paint made the windows pop. The boring, nice white has been replaced with clean, “Zanzibar Spice”. The house looks like it’s just come home from a spa weekend after a great facial. In the end, it’s been worth it. Long delays at the paint desk have all paid off.
Winterpast, you look fine. Not just “okay” fine, but fantastically fine. Your trim gleams, your blemishes are fixed, your windows are gleaming, and your curb appeal is almost flirty.
As for HHH? He’s earned a victory lap, sore shoulders, and a secret dream of hiring professionals next time.
Maybe.
