Painting - Exterior painting suggestions please (power or not)

I have decided to restain the exterior of my home. The home is two+ years old now. The original stain was applied 'at the factory' to the siding and trim work.

I'm looking for some general answers on a few questions:

First, I plan on painting the trim using a brush. On the remaining larger exterior portions I'd like to use some kind of 'automated' method, Wagner painter, whatever. I'm looking for suggestions on what to use (or not to use).

Second, should I paint the trim first or the other portions first (ie., which will cover the other). I am leaning towards trim first.

thanks,
jeff

If you are talking about staining your house and trim I would suggest that you paint your house first and then the trim. Staining a house is a lot different then painting a house so be sure your are going to stain it. You can use any sort of sprayer. I suppose a Wagner airless would work as would a larger sprayer that you can rent at a Rent-All place. They thing that you should do is to spray it and then back brush it into the wood. It helps to ensure that the product penetrates into the wood and it will also help to eliminate overlap marks which you need to watch very carefully and try to eliminate. Keep a wet edge with you sprayer and as someone sprays the stain, have someone else follow behind brushing the stain in. Only spray as many boards as can be brushed in as you go along the house. You should start at the top and work down so that you do not drip any stain on already completed wood. You will go back and forth a few time in order to get your wall done. Now to the trim. You will not have to tape off the trim if you spray the walls. That is unless you are very messy and uncontrolled with a sprayer. Do the trim with a brush and brush it in keeping a wet edge on your staining. If you sprayed some of your trim, you should be able to brush it in with the rest of your wet stain. I would do one side at a time so that you have a wet edge for your trim painting to work in. If you spray you will need more lthen one person to help you back brush. This is importnat.