Essential Exterior Prep Work Before Painting Your Home Like a Pro
Long-Lasting Exterior Painting Starts with Proper House Preparation
A Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Your Home for Exterior Painting
Refreshing the exterior of your home with a paintwork is one of the finest methods of providing it with curb appeal, increasing the value of the property, and protecting the house against the weather conditions. Prior to ever lifting the paintbrush, the one thing of all that one must do is preparation, however.
Back at Paint Heroes, our team comprehends that the quality of the paintwork directly relates to the quality of the substrate it is being painted on. Correct prepping will have the finish appear as if it has been painted by a pro and will last well into the future. Here is the definitive guide on how to prep the exterior of the house before painting it.
Why Proper Preparation Matters
Painting is a time and money investment. Unless the paint is well primed, it peels, it crumbles, and darkens quickly, and it will have to be repainted earlier than anticipated.
It evens the finish and cleans it, so the paint adheres well, increases the duration it lasts, and provides the finished product with a shiny finish. It provides the base to the entire work—without it, even the highest-grade of paints will not provide the optimum output.
Step 1: Inspect the Exterior Thoroughly
Before starting the work, walk the house and point out problem spots. Check for peeling paint, mold/mildew, cracked caulking, cracked siding, or rotting wood. These will have to be addressed prior to painting, as they will otherwise rough up the finish.
Paint Heroes' pros will never start the work by failing to inspect the house properly so that nothing is left to chance.
Step 2: Clean the Surface
Dirt, pollen, and powdery deposits do not provide paint good adherence. It is important that the surface be very clean.
Pressure washing is the next ideal thing, but do not cause siding or trim damage. Treat the detergent lightly and rinse it thoroughly. Give it adequate dry time—typically 24 to 48 hours—before moving on to the next step.
Clean surfaces translate to good paint adherence and longer-lasting paint coat.
Step 3: Remove Loose or Peeling Paint
Loose chalking paint creates irregular surfaces and blisters where paint will not stick. Remove loose fragments with a paint scraper, wire brush, or sanding unit. You may need to apply a powered sander on problem areas.
Fading between bare and painted area makes it that much simpler to get an even finish. This is one of the more labor-intensive, but highly worthwhile, prepping steps of painting the outside of your home.
Step 4: Mending and Patching Holes
Dents, rotting lumber, or cracked stucco must be repaired before paint work. Fill voids and spaces with exterior-grade caulks or filler, smooth with sand once dried, and replace rotting boards.
These repairs stop water intrusion, keep the integrity of your home, and give the paint an evenly textured substrate to bond to. Quality repair as a process is stressed by Paint Heroes because quality repair will greatly extend the paint work's life span.
Step 5: Sand for a Smooth Finish
Scraper and patching follow, then smooth surfaces sanded that will prime nicely. Soft sand all over also mixes old paint with bare material by feathering the joint where paint ends and the material starts.
Soft sand all over makes paint bond better. Don’t get rid of it—smooth surfaces mean pro-level work.
Step 6: Cover Nearby Areas
Before picking up the first paint can, protect the landscaping, walkways, and the windows. Protect surfaces that will not be splattered with painter’s tape, plastic sheeting, and drop cloths.
Precise masking, aside from the time saving on cleanup, will also give sharp lines and a clean finish.
Step 7: Prime the Outside
Outside paint's secret MVP is primer. It seals bare wood, covers stain spots, and gives a smooth paint-able area where paint can bond to it.
Good primers also improve paintability and durability. Prime filled-in places, bare places, and stained surfaces where stain blocking is needed.
One coat of primer on the entire house is normally the best option in the majority of cases for best overall effectiveness.
Step 8: Choosing the Right Paint
Having properly prepared the item's surface, the next thing is choosing the appropriate paint. Choose exterior paint that has been specially developed to be resistant to UV radiation, dampness, and extreme temperatures.
Paint Heroes directs homeowners who desire luxury items that strike the perfect balance between beauty and long-term attributes, providing years of enjoyment.
Step 9: Pre-Painting Touch-ups
Do a final walkaround. Make certain it's smooth, clean, and prime-ready. Check caulks sealed, repairs have dried, and coverings secure.
A careful final check pays dividends down the road by saving time and hassle.
Trust the Experts at Paint Heroes
Prepping the outside of your home to be painted is work that necessitates specialization and patience. It nearly always has discouraging results if the process is rushed along or steps skipped.
That's why homeowners turn to Paint Heroes to paint the outside of their homes. It's our careful prep process that makes the difference, protecting your investment and making your home look wonderful.
FAQs: How to Prepare Your House Exterior for Painting
Q: Will Paint Heroes clean the house before painting?
A: It depends on house conditions and painter. Yes. It displaces dirt, mildew, and grime that prevent paint from adhering to the wall. Not doing it can decrease the paint life on the house.
Q: Does Paint Heroes have to repaint previously peeling paint?
A: No. You will have to scrape and sand the peeling paint off. Otherwise, brand-new paint will also peel along with the old paint.
Q: How soon after pressure washing can Paint Heroes paint?
A: Paint Heroes can paint almost immediately after pressure washing. Be sure to wait 24 to 48 hours to let surfaces dry completely.
Q: Must Paint Heroes always use a primer?
A: You will need to prime bare wood where patches have been applied, as well as stained surfaces. It works better to put on a full coat of primer before painting.
Q: The very best time of year to paint the house on the outside?
A: Mild dry weather is the absolute best—most often spring or fall. Don't paint if it is hot, humid, or freezing outdoors.
Beyond prep, Paint Heroes also involves the use of high-grade paint, careful edge and trim work, thorough cleanups, and finish inspections to provide the ideal finish.