Re-Paint or wait?

[bigwill1767]

The male that has been around for awhile finally got some company. Yesterday he had a female in the gourd on the T14 with him. They both stayed in the gourd last night. This morning there was another female on top of the gourd rack. She tried to go in the same gourd with them then all 3 flew out and around. She was checking out other gourds so hopefully she will stay also. I had to leave for work so I didnt get to see the outcome. Anyway, I have a question. When I hung the gourds on the T14 I did not properly paint them and now the paint is coming off. The gourds were not treated or primed. I just sanded them and put some white latex on them. The gourds I am preparing to put on my gourd rack have been primed and 1 coat of latex put on so far. Should I go out there in the middle of the day when the PM are away and re-sand and put a coat of primer and latex on them? The primer seems to dry pretty fast. I dont want to scare them away is the reason I am hesitant about re-working the gourds. Even tho I have the T14 and Gourd rack on winches, I have never lowered them to do nest checks or anything in the past because I am afraid I will scare them away. Also thanks for the advise and how to handle the bluebirds. The bluebirds moved to their own box and they already have 4 eggs in there.
So do I repaint the gourds or wait until they are more settled in and bonded?

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

I don't think that you would scare them away since they have not started to build a nest or lay eggs. Go ahead and paint while they are gone, and switch gourds if necessary, the martins will not mind as long as they have a place the spend the night.

[bigwill1767]

Thanks Emil. I do have some ready so I will swap them out when I get home.

[cary-nw-fla]

Don't know if you're interested or not, but Fusion (paint for plastic) is now available by the qt (liquid form) not just in the spray cans. Cheers.