Vic- appreciate the thoughts.
R - you actually got to some specifics, that I do appreciate.
I have thought about an extension ladder. Holding a paint can/bucket and waving my arm around at 16' above splat level just is not something I want to experience. Ok. I know, I know.. you think I'm insane for putting a ladder atop scaffolding. But wait, I said I needed to get 3' above the 12' scaffold platform. The peak is 22', I can reach 7', so I need 15' of lift. Either 5wx7lx6h or 30" x 72" scaffolding stacked 2 high gets me 12' off the ground on a pretty stable base after I tack on some outriggers. So now I'm looking at another 3' to reach that 22' peak. It's a 45 degree roof, so there is not much to paint at that height. 30 mins with a roller and my 2" Purdy and I should be done "up there" and get that ladder (or step stool, or whatever) out of the way. I don't think I will move fast enough to outrun my scaffolding. I'll work a 6' section, slide it over, work another 6' section, and so on. That 22' peak is above my driveway, so sliding the scaffold should be easy enough. The other side of the 22' is part over a deck and the other part over a flat surface with a sidewalk 3' from the wall. Then I can use the scaffold (maybe Perry type) to roll around the rest of the house where it's mostly 10' and a couple small sections that are 16'.
Yeah, Vic -- you have no idea how many times I rethought purchasing this masonite siding house. I had vinyl before. Hated it -- but not so much anymore. The original coat of Moorgard here has worn well --
11 going on 12 years. So I'm hoping to get about 10 on my labor this go-around. Also, I like the idea of looking over every sq inch of the place. I get familiar with what's working and what's not. I can spot rot (3 so far and repaired), poor drainage, roof issues, etc. I'm not very experienced, but I'm getting some. In fact, once I get some appreciation for where the paint is wearing well, and not so well, I'm thinking maybe I can get 12-13 years from may labor if I do some annual upkeep.
The main challenges I have are:
-- those two 22' peaks (gabel ends of 2 car garage)
-- a dormer that sits on a 45 degree roof
-- a dormer that has a 10' peak (but sits on low sloping roof)
-- two gabel ends of the dormers that have about a 10' peak
-- a fake chimney that is going to be a real pain
For the roof work, all I can come up with is build a platform the has a base that conforms to the roof slope and hold it in-place with a screwed-down cleat. That dormer that sits on the 45 degree roofline is going to be a bear, but it's not all that high, so maybe a platform right next to it will be all that I need.
So other than fooling around with that 22' peak it's about dealing with dormers ( yes, that and masonite siding are not at the tops of my list for why I'm living here).
I've spent a good 20 hours thusfar washing, caulking, and spot priming about 30% of the house and 75% of my other 24x36 building. I work at it 6-8 hours on the weekends and a couple hours in the evening. At this rate I should be done before it needs to be repainted ;-)
Now that I have 8 gals of Moorgard staring at me, I also need to figure out how to spread this stuff. It's thick. I did a quick roller test and did not like the results. It did not spread as smoothly as I was hoping.