There are a lot of components that go into painting a home. It is sure to be overwhelming and intimidating if you’ve never taken on such a task. Gathering the materials, prepping the areas, and carefully applying paint is a lot to manage. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make your exterior painting result the best it can be. Our painting professionals have compiled our top three house painting tips to help you achieve this great finish. By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to take on your exterior house painting project or know how to hire the professionals to do it for you. Let’s get started!

Thoroughly Clean Your Surface

The most vital step to a house painting project is to properly clean the surface getting painted. Many painters that take on home painting on their own skip this step; however, doing so will result in a paint finish that won’t look as good and won’t last as long. If your wall or ceiling has dirt or oil on it, your paint will chip and peel prematurely. With that being said, we truly cannot stress enough how important this step is.

All that is required––and recommended––to clean the surface of your home is sugar soap, sponges or washcloths, and a bucket. After a solid scrub down of the surface you’ll be good to go! Trust us, your future self will be thanking you for taking this step seriously.

Cover Surroundings

You’ll want to cover any areas that you do not want paint on once things are clean and repaired, . Paint can be messy, especially when you’re applying to large surfaces such as the exterior of your home. Be sure to cover any electrical outlets, plants, and air conditioners. You’ll want to lock these covers down with tape, too. If you’re painting your home interior, don’t forget about the ceiling! You should also properly cover or put away light fixtures and fans before the painting process begins.

Don’t Forget Primer

A coat of primer can feel unnecessary when it comes to a daunting house painting job. Some professional painters say that priming before painting can add an additional 5 years of life to your home’s paint. Priming seals out mildew and provides an even tooth for the color paint to adhere to.

When it comes to the age-old question of oil or latex based primer, most pros will tell you that latex is preferable since it’s easily cleaned with water. The exception is for wooden surfaces, where oil-based primers penetrate into the wood.

Exterior Painting with the Pros

As you can see, there are a lot of moving parts to get the best exterior painting finish possible. That is why we recommend working with experts who know all of the tips and tricks of house painting. CertaPro Painters® of Charlottesville have painted thousands of homes across the Fredericksburg area, interior and exterior. We offer a free color consultation with every project, too! To get started on your project, call us at 407-325-4604. We look forward to working with you!