Prepping for Exterior Painting Projects
Posted on January 30, 2022
Prepping to Paint the Exterior of Your Home
Painting to paint the exterior of your home is no small undertaking. It can be tempting to skimp on the preparation and move right to the task at hand. But as they say, an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure. This is very true when it comes to painting projects. If you do not prep properly and thoroughly, the outcome of your project will suffer and not last nearly as long.
Here are the proper steps to take in exterior home painting preparation:
Scope
First, go over the exterior of your house to decide the scope of the paint job. Is it the shutters that are looking ragged, or maybe the trim. Or is your entire house in need of a new coat? Deciding the amount to be painted will tell you how many colors you can or are changing.
Colors
Choose colors that appeal to you and adhere to any rules and regulations that govern where you live. If you are having trouble deciding, it’s a good idea to purchase a quart of each option and painting a swatch on your house. Make sure you look at it several times of day in bright light and low before choosing a color. If you’re undecided on trim options, do the same.
Remove
Remove any furniture nearby the house. It will only slow down the painting process to do this as you go. Take any items on the house off as well, regardless if they are also getting painted. This includes lighting fixtures, shutters, numbers and other items you’d paint around.
Clean
A clean house will accept paint. Spend time pressure washing the entirety of the area to be painted. You’ll need to allow plenty of dry time before moving to the next step. That also means if it rains, your drying starts over. Chalking, dirt, mildew and other messy spots should be completely cleaned. You may want to protect shrubbery with plastic sheets while you’re cleaning.
Repairs
Now address any issues with the previous paint. Areas that are cracked or peeling need to be scraped off and sanded down to a flat surface. Prime areas that have been repaired for best paint adhesion.
Painting tips
- Semigloss paint is best saved for trim only. Latex will provide the best option for the majority of house area.
- Brushes should be matched to the type of paint. Latex needs a nylon/polyester brush, oil uses natural bristle.
- Paint when the temperature is between 75 and 85 degrees fahrenheit. It should be low humidity, and no forecast of rain. Paint where the house is shadowed from the sun to avoid heat blisters.
- Make sure you keep a “wet edge” by overlapping the painting areas you’ve finished most recently. Once the film has been created in drying paint, do not go back.
Each coat, primer and paint, will require 24 to 48 hours without precipitation to finish drying. Plan your job around that estimate.
These are just a few suggestions to make your painting project go more smoothly. If you have any questions or need extra help, your CertaPro painters are here to assist you. No matter how big or small. Call your CertaPro painters to start your project today.
