Things to Do Before Painting the Exterior of Your Home

One of the biggest returns on your investment in your home is painting the exterior. A fresh coat of paint has a huge impact on the curb appeal and appearance of the house. You can make an old house look new again when you paint the exterior. But, even the most trendy color won’t make the impact you’re looking for if you haven’t properly prepared the outside for painting. 

Preparing the exterior is critical for the paint job to look beautiful and last. All of the things that make the difference between a mediocre paint job and a stellar one, have to do with getting the surface in the best shape to accept the paint. Osborne Painting has experienced painters who have done extensive exterior house painting and know the importance of getting the outside surface of your home ready for painting. We’ve put together the essential things to do before exterior painting. A quality paint job gives back in spades!

Clean the Exterior Surface of the House

The surface of the outside of your home needs to be very clean. Painting on a dirty surface is not prudent. Pressure washing with the proper detergent is the most effective way to clean the exterior surface. The pressure should not come out of a nozzle that uses a concentrated stream since this can cause damage to the wood and seep under siding that is lapped. Surfaces that are not peeling or flaking excessively can stand a regular garden hose and a scrub brush. A trisodium phosphate solution is a good and safe cleaning agent.

Scrape Loose Paint from Previous Paint Job

Any loose paint on the surface of the house will cause the paint to not go on smoothly or adhere properly. Scrape using a wire brush or a scraping tool to get any paint that is flaking or located in areas that the power washing didn’t reach. It isn’t necessary to scrape down to the bare wood.

Repair Flaws

Flaws that create an uneven or rough surface impede a quality paint job so these need to be repaired. Repair surface imperfections with a repair compound that is specifically for exterior use. When the surface dries, ensure it is smooth by sanding.

Sand the Rough Surfaces

Sanding corrects and smooths out rough surfaces so the paint adheres nicely. Do not sand any man-made siding or trim boards. These are some of the areas to pay attention to when sanding the exterior:

• Windows, frames, sills
• Baseboards
• Outside cornices
• Handrails
• Blisters, chips, peels/li>
• Fillers, putty, patching

Remove Old Caulk and Re-Caulk

Remove any old caulking and, using a paintable exterior caulk, re-caulk around these areas:

• Door trim
• Windows and windowsills
• Nailheads
• Trim boards on entries/li>
• Backside of the fascia
• Garage door jams

Use a Primer

It’s important to use a primer on certain areas so the surface is ready to accept the paint. Priming such places as the top of all door jams, the top of all windows, where there is blistering on the siding, bare wood, and areas that have been repaired.

Protect Landscaping

Use drop cloths to protect bushes, flowerbeds, decks, sidewalks, and other landscaping soft and hardscapes. Be sure to tie up shrubs and reposition (remove, trim, or tie) tree branches that can possibly rub against the wet paint.

Request Your Free Exterior House Painting Estimate

Osborne Painting can do the superior exterior painting job that you are looking for. To get started with a free estimate, call us at 919-878-6611 or fill out our online contact form!