Getting ready for the big Thanksgiving holiday? Sprucing up and doing some quick painting? Today in painting prep school part II, you'll learn about proper surface preparation that should be undertaken before you start any paint job. All surfaces should be perfectly clean and ready to accept your chosen type of paint. Regardless of what type you choose to use, we recommend cleaning and prepping all surfaces with TSP (tri-sodium phosphate, a heavy-duty, all-purpose cleaner that's especially great for cleaning exterior surfaces like siding and decks). If the surface you plan to paint over is glossy, give it some bite by lightly sanding with a fine-grit paper. This will give new paint a better hold. Or, apply a coat of a deglosser (often called liquid sandpaper) that softens the old paint and allows the new to bond better. The message for surface preparation is the same as for switch plates and hardware in part I. Old dirt and grime? Take it off, take it all off. And that's the On The House tip for today.