Expert: Eileen Cronk - 6/20/2007

Question
Have a not in good condition condominium bird house with lots of potential! It now has no paint or stain. Will take it apart for proper sanding and will do hand sanding or would a inexpensive detail sander cut it for some of the job? Could you please tell me what type of glue would be best; the house will be out all weather in WA state. [Will also nail it back together].
Not sure yet if I'll use different color paints or thought of different colored stains and I do stains; is a stain the correct product to use? Last of all what kind of sealer would be best for either paint or staining?
Thank you very much for your time and effort.
Ann

Answer
Hi Ann
Nice to hear from you.
What a wonderful project this will be.
Those detail sanders ruin more detail than they clean LOL..just use sandpaper.
A waterproof carpenters glue will do this fine. Its available at any hardware store. I like Elmers.
Ann the reason I like stain for outdoor projects like this is that after a time they just fade away. Paint peels and loosens and you are back to sanding again.
There is just no need for a sealer over exterior wood stain...in fact I have never heard it recommended.
Hope I have covered all your questions.
Good luck and thanks for a great question
Kindest Regards
Eileen