Ahoy Cabins & Gardens lovers!

In today’s email:

• 🏡 Let’s Paint That Cabin: We concentrate on painting your cabin this week!

• 🎁 Deal of the month - newsletter subscribers’ exclusive deal for paint!

🪵 Cabins & Gardens Newsletter – “Let’s Paint That Cabin!” 🎨

Hello there, friends!

Right, so you’ve got yourself a grand log cabin. The weather lately looks amazing? Maybe it’s looking a bit tired, or maybe you’re just in the mood for a spruce-up (pun very much intended). Either way, giving your cabin a fresh lick of paint isn’t just about looks—it’s about keeping it weatherproof and standing strong against the good ol’ Irish rain.

We’re walkin’ you through the whole shebang here—start to finish. Fillers, sanding, priming, sealing, painting, and all the bits in between. Ready to roll up your sleeves?

Thank you paintlab.ie, for helping us out here!

🧰 What You’ll Need (The Essentials)

Some key bits:

• Putty & Filler: For those pesky cracks and crevices.

• Sandpaper or Sander: Smooth as a baby’s bum.

• Masking Gear: Ultra Premium Washi Tape, masking film, and drop cloths.

• Primer & Paint: Like the trusty Zinsser Cover Stain Primer and the brilliant Tikkurila Pika-Teho Paint.

• Brushes & Rollers: You’ll want high-quality tools like the Blue Dolphin angled brush and a rough microfiber roller.

🛠 Step-by-Step Painting Prep (Don’t Skip This Bit!)

1. Fill ‘Er Up
Use wood glazing putty for small cracks and a 2-part filler for bigger gaps. Give it time to dry, then top up if it’s shrunk a bit. It's like spackling—only less American.

2. Sand Like a Saint
You’ll need medium-grit sandpaper (100-120 grit) and a good sanding block or sander. Smooth out all the filler, plus any rough patches or knotty bits. Your goal? Silky smooth logs.

3. Clean Sweep
New cabin? A quick brush-down might do. Older one? Go at it with a soft brush or even a light power wash to get rid of dust, cobwebs, and whatever the wind’s blown in.

4. Masking Time
Cover windows, doors, decking, gutters—the whole lot. You don’t want splashes where they don’t belong. Floor protection sheets and masking film are your best mates here.

5. Prime It Right
Use an oil-based primer like Zinsser for sealing knots and giving your paint something solid to grip. A moisture meter helps too—aim for under 15% moisture in the timber.

🧴 Silicone & Sealing

For the vertical joins and around windows and doors, grab something flexible like Fome Aquastop. It’s clear, paintable, and doesn’t flake off in a huff when the weather changes.

🎨 Let the Painting Begin!

Pick Your Paint Wisely:
We swear by Tikkurila Pika-Teho. It’s breathable, durable, and laughs in the face of Irish rain.

Brush or Roll?
Do both! Use a natural bristle brush for edges and a 4-inch microfiber roller for the big, open log surfaces.

Don’t Forget Paint Boxing:
Mix all your tins together in one big bucket before you start. It keeps the colour consistent, so your walls don’t end up looking like a patchwork quilt.

Paint Top Down:
Start at the top of the cabin and work your way down. That way, you catch drips as you go. One coat first, let it dry (give it a few hours or even overnight if it’s humid), then go for round two.

🪟 Windows & Doors

Same prep: mask, sand, seal. Use TEC7 Caulk for tidy seals around frames. Then paint with a small angled brush for the fiddly bits and a 10mm roller for the broader strokes.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Painting your cabin isn’t just a DIY job—it’s an act of love. And with the right gear, a bit of patience, and maybe a good playlist on in the background, you’ll have it lookin’ grand in no time. Plus, it’ll be ready for many more years of rain, wind, and whatever else the Irish weather throws at it.

Need a hand picking paints or tools? Pop over to PaintLab’s full guide for all the links, tips, and expert advice.

Slán for now, and happy painting!

— The Cabins & Gardens Team 🌲

🎁 Deal of the month!

We’ve sorted a lovely wee deal just for our Cabins & Gardens crew – a 15% discount on absolutely everything at paintlab.ie!

Whether you’re touching up your log cabin, freshening up the garden shed, or just want to stock up on top-notch brushes and primers—now’s the time.

💸 Here’s how to claim your exclusive discount (visible to newsletter subscribers only):