When it’s time to paint the outside of your house, remember that painting is only one step of the process. Poor preparation or paint applied when it’s too cold or wet can lead to a job that needs to be done again too soon. Here are some key tips to keep in mind to help your outdoor paint job stay beautiful longer.
Timing Is Key
You may want to start in the cool of the morning to avoid overheating as the day goes on, but if the humidity is high, you may not get great paint cling. In addition, if it’s too cold, the paint may not adhere well. Of course, if there’s a risk of rain, you might want to paint on another day. The surface you’re painting must be completely dry before you start. By choosing the right time to start your work, you can lay a good foundation for a long-lasting paint job.
Clean Surfaces Are a Must
Whether you’re painting on wood, masonry or stucco, the surface has to be clean and free of debris before you apply any paint. According to Pospisil Painting Inc mold, mildew, and stains can all create problems when painting, so it’s important to clean those off of exterior walls prior to painting. Any flaking paint must also be scraped away before you start, and if wood siding or trim is damaged or dry-rotted, sanding it will give you a much nicer finish. When cleaning concrete, check for cracking or spall, and be sure to seal up all cracks. You can use vinyl caulking to keep out moisture and cold air and reduce the risk of pests entering the home. If you see any large gaps, you may need to patch the concrete or seal the gaps with spray foam.
Do You Need to Prime?
Primer may be necessary depending on your situation. If you’re painting over a very dark color, a primer can speed up the process and reduce the number of coats of topcoat you need to apply. High gloss paint will need to be primed for the best adhesion. If you needed to replace any wood trim or to scrape or sand down to bare wood, it will need to be primed before top coating.
The prep time for an outdoor paint job can be onerous, especially if you have to sand down or replace a lot of wood. However, by carefully examining your home and taking care of repairs thoroughly, you can protect your home from damage for years to come.
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