September 7, 2001 - The first story is completely stripped of paint. 

                        Using scrapers, heat guns, and a rotating carbide-blade Metabo paint stripper, we were able to remove 100 years of paint - white mostly but with one layer of yellow, probably from the '70's.  Note the overgrown pine tree has been removed.

September 17, 2001 - Priming begins.

Back to white again as we begin the primer.  We're using Sherwin-Williams best primer at two strengths.  Using Penetrol, a marine-grade paint thinner, the first coat goes on very wet reaching deep into the wood.  The second coat of primer goes on at full strength before the first coat dries.  The oil-based enamel is impervious once dry so we work fast during the primer phase.  After a couple of days the top coat and color can go on.