Don't rush the paint job

Remember that exterior paint requires at least 10 degrees Celsius to adhere properly.
Also the surface has to be dry to prevent the paint from coming off when the sun heats the surface, creating steam from underlying dampness.

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Ben is a new green paint from Benjamin Moore

I like the new low VOC paint from Benjamin Moore called BEN. I know I sound like a rep and not a professional customer who uses their products. I like the way it spreads and the way it looks, top marks to the paint designers down at BM.
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Time to paint the exterior?

It's a bit early to paint anything outside if you live above the 49th paralel. 10 degrees celsius is the minimum the paint companies have on their cans. What you need is two weeks of sunny warm weather before you paint an exterior. You will need to check any exposed wood to see if it is dry. Moisture sits deep in the wood and will lift the paint when the temperatures rise.
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A new year with new paint

As 2010 rolls in new regulations take affect to regulate the paint retail business.
The paint companies have started to roll out their lines of green paint, namely paint with low VOC's (volatile organic compounds).
These paints have a much shorter open time (working time) and really are still at a stage where improvement is needed. Some of the immediate things painters notice is the way these paints will clog up brushes and will dry on your roll if you don't cover it when you go for coffee.
A small spritzer is a good thing to keep around, I often spray my roller tray if I'm leaving it for more than a few minutes. Also I keep a roll of cling film to wrap my brush at lunch time and put some across my roller tray to prevent that thin skin from forming and later transfered to the wall.
The new paints are a result of legislation in California that trickles around to the rest of us some time later. I personally liked the alkyde modified exterior paints that Benjamin Moore made for decades, and will be sad to see them go.
I've got news for you folks, 100% acrylic is not all it's cracked up to be, acrylic softens in water and is not as good as their modified cousins.
Have a good 2010 painting and stay safe. Ken Wells http://www.mercuryminc.net/