If you want to increase the curb appeal of your home, painting the exterior can do that, and preparing to paint the exterior of your house can’t be stressed enough. What should you focus on when getting the house ready for painting? The preparation for painting is where the real benefit is realized and makes all the difference between a mediocre paint job and a great one. There is a lot to do before the first brush hits the house when you properly prepare to paint, as you will see in this article.
Here are seven steps in preparing the exterior of your house for painting in order to have a beautiful paint job that is long-lasting.
Step 1: Clean the surface
A clean surface is essential to have a good paint job. Pressure washing is the most efficient way to thoroughly clean exterior siding. Using a detergent that will adequately clean the siding but isn’t too harsh is important when pressure washing. Also, it’s important to use a nozzle that doesn’t damage wood or seep underneath lapped siding. If there are areas that don’t have excessive peeling or flaking, you can simply use a scrub brush and a garden hose.
Step 2: Set up appropriate access
Be sure to set up the appropriate methods for accessing areas of the house. Using scaffolding can be better than ladders for areas that involve heights. Scaffolding also provides a surface on which to move left and right, making it safer and more efficient.
Step 3: Lay down covers
Covering bushes, flowerbeds, decks, lawns, sidewalks, and other landscaping protects these areas from falling debris and paint spills. Tie up bushes that have the potential of rubbing against fresh paint. Additionally, setting up tarps to catch debris makes it a lot easier to remove and haul away paint chips and debris after scraping.
Step 4: Scrape loose paint
All loose paint needs to be scraped away from the boards and siding. Skipping this step results in a poor quality paint job. Use wire brushes and proper scraping tools for the job. It isn’t necessary to scrape down to the bare wood if the old paint is intact.
Step 5: Sand surfaces
Sanding the surface before painting creates a smoother surface as well as a more adhesive area for the primer and paint to stick to. Your paint job will last much longer when it has been sanded. This step should be done after the house has been power washed and has dried.
Step 6: Caulk profusely
We can’t stress enough the importance of removing old caulk and re-caulking. The purpose is to seal and glaze with a paintable exterior caulk, filling in gaps between boards and smoothing out uneven places like nail heads. Areas that need to be freshly caulked include door trims, windowsills, nail heads, garage door jams, and the backside of fascia boards. Repair and re-putty windows. And, don’t forget to hammer in loose nails before applying caulk.
Step 7: Prime
Prime all areas that have bare wood. If rotting wood has been replaced, this new wood needs to be primed so the paint adheres properly. Use primer on all door jams and on top of windows, as well as on any blistering that has occurred on the siding.
Contact Osborne Painting for Exterior Remodeling
It’s important to get the job done right. Exterior painting requires ladders, scaffolding, and other tools you may not have. Use a professional to ensure that the time and money you spend will result in a well-painted home. When you hire a top-notch painting company like Osborne Painting, you see the beautiful and long-lasting result. We employ best practices to maintain the quality and longevity you want for the exterior of your home. Your house is worth it!
Contact Osborne Painting for consultation and assistance when looking at the best for your next paint job. To get started with a free estimate, call us at 919-878-6611 or fill out our online contact form below.