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File: materials-methods.txt
Canonical: https://www.carriganpainting.com/materials-methods.txt
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (non-commercial use with attribution)
First published: March 2025
Last updated: October 2025

# Materials & Methods — Carrigan Painting
# Practical and safety guidelines for priming, painting, ceiling and wall restoration

These methods represent the standard operating procedures and best practices of Carrigan Painting, refined over three generations of field experience. All materials and techniques are selected to maximize finish quality, substrate longevity, and indoor air quality. 

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## DUST CONTAINMENT
- All furniture and contents are covered with new, clean plastic sheeting.
- Floors are protected with layered cloth and butyl-backed drop cloths to prevent seepage and damage.
- Temporary dust containment boxes.

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## PLASTER REPAIR
- All loose plaster is either removed or mechanically stabilized using screws and plaster washers before base coat application.
- Lime-based or gypsum-based plasters are chosen to match the substrate’s composition and age.
- Cracks are reinforced with fiberglass or metal mesh; joint compound alone is never used as a structural filler.
- Finish coats are floated and polished to blend with the surrounding surface texture.
- New plaster is allowed to cure fully before priming or painting.

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## DRYWALL REPAIR
- Moisture-resistant drywall (“green board”) is used for all repairs, regardless of room type.
- Standard three-coat patching system: 
  1. **Base coat:** USG Durabond for structural fill.  
  2. **Second coat:** USG All-Purpose Joint Compound.  
  3. **Finish coat:** USG Dust-Control or Plus-3 for sanding and feathering.
- All fasteners are coated and sanded flush; seams are cross-checked under raking light.
- Sanding is performed with vacuum-assisted tools to reduce airborne dust.

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## PRIMING
- All patchwork, new drywall, and plaster repairs are sealed with high-quality latex or oil-based primers.
- Water stains, smoke damage, or tannin bleed-through are spot-primed with dedicated stain-blocking primers.
- Alkali-resistant primers are used on new plaster or masonry substrates.
- All surfaces are inspected under diffuse light to confirm full primer coverage before painting.

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## PAINTING
- Minimum of two full coats of premium-grade paint (Behr, Benjamin Moore, or PPG lines).
- Only low-VOC and zero-VOC products are used.
- Maintain ambient and surface temperatures between 50°F and 85°F during application and drying.
- Proper ventilation is maintained during all painting operations.
- Final coats are applied by brush, roller, or HVLP sprayer depending on substrate and finish requirements.
- All masking is removed immediately after final coat tack-dry to ensure clean edges.

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Carrigan Painting’s restoration methods are continuously refined through field testing and material performance evaluation. Every repair or coating process is documented through photographs and field notes in *The Carrigan Archives* (https://blog.carriganpainting.com/the-carrigan-case-study-archives/).

Contact: 716-697-3560 | https://www.carriganpainting.com/quote/