How long will an exterior paint job last?

Exterior Paint Duration

There really is no facelift as affordable and efficient as appreciating the value as well as the beauty of your home via a fresh paint job. Until deterioration, the layering of new paint encases your home in a shield of protection from the elements. There are many variables, but most exterior painting projects in our service area of Milwaukee last 5-7 years before needing another coat.

Things that can affect the duration paint lasts include:

Climate
Water exposure
Sun exposure
Wear and tear
Quality of product used
Prep done during project

What should you do to ensure optimum longevity on your new paint job?

Cleaning
Sanding
Using high-quality materials

Are you ready to give your house an update?

Here’s what to do:

Soften the exterior by hand scraping old layers. Carefully inspect the paint for peeling and blistering. This is the best way to strip old layers of paint without causing excessive damage. Remember to always use PPE (personal protective equipment). We suggest wearing a mask to prevent inhalation of toxic fumes and laying out some covering to protect your surroundings from splatter.

Once you have taken the necessary measures to strip old layers of paint, we recommend smoothing out your exterior with a sander. Anywhere between 60 – 80 grit sandpaper is generally a good range for this type of sanding. If you have sanded it out and want to smooth out some rough areas, you can follow up with a 100 – 120 grit. If sanding isn’t cutting it, using chemical strippers or other stripping materials is always an option.

When you feel you have reached a comfortable level of evenly distributed smoothness you can move on to filling in problem areas. Anywhere that you may see dents, cracks, rot, or other deterioration can be filled in or removed and replaced.

You’ve assessed, evaluated, smoothed out, and filled in the problem areas? Awesome! Now we can move on to priming. Primers are designed to penetrate, seal, and create a base layer for your top coat to adhere to. Acrylic is a good choice when it comes to most surfaces, but if you are painting wood, you will want to use an oil-based paint to prevent the wood from leaching and staining from a water-based paint.

Primer is laid down? Ok! We’re almost ready to paint, but let’s caulk first. You want to make sure your joints are strong and flexible, which is why you should make sure to invest in high quality caulk, such as urethane acrylic. This will provide you with the most longevity.

At last, it is time to paint! Remember to carefully cover and tape off areas that may be prone to splash back or splatter. We recommend leaving high-powered sprayers to the professionals due to the potential for more harm than good with uneven coating, dripping, and spatter.

Exterior painting will appreciate your homes value, make it far more attractive, and provide it with a layer of protection. It is the most efficient and affordable way to update your home and increase its value in a short period of time. Get the job done right with CertaPro.

Professional Painting Services in Milwaukee

Need help with a painting project in the greater Milwaukee, WI area? We can help. Get started by setting up a free estimate appointment with our team.