Why Painting a Home’s Exterior is No Joke
Painting your home’s exterior most inexpensive and transformative remodeling project there is. You may spend a few hundred dollars on paint and materials, but the value you added to your home is well into the thousands if done right. If you have ever painted the outside of your home, you know how daunting it can be! If you get lucky enough to miss weather and paint when it’s not too hot, you still have a challenging task ahead of you.
Be a Fair-Weather Fan
Little rain and low humidity.
Pay for Paint Up Front
What I mean by that is, don’t skimp on paint because it seems too expensive. A high quality exterior paint will have color that does not fade or chip as fast. If you skimp on paint now, you will most definitely pay more down the road. With better paint technology, a solid paint job will last a homeowner about 15 years.
Wash and Dry
Paint adheres better to dry and smooth surfaces. Painting professionals will give your home a proper wash using a pressure washer, but you can use a high-pressure hose attachment. You could even work in sections with a regular hose, a little TSP and a scrub brush. Using a scrub brush is less likely to cause damage, but far slower. You must saturate the exterior with water before applying any house cleaning solution. If you use a pressure washer, you can skip TSP, but just cautious that you’re not spraying water under siding or spraying too close.
Before you begin making repairs or priming, be sure to cover surrounding plants with a sheet you don’t care about or a drop cloth. Plastic is not good for plants!
Allow your home a full day in the sun to dry before taking any further steps.
Scrape and Sand
Be very careful not to scrape or sand paint that may have lead present. Remember it is a strong possibility with any home built around 1978 or sooner. Defer to a professional if you are unsure. And wear a mask or respirator even if it’s not!
To begin sanding, you can rent a power sander or grinder to remove old layers once you know you are safe! You can even use a heat gun to melt the paint and to help speed up the process.
Siding Condition Matters
Determine if damaged pieces of siding need wood filler, two-part epoxy or replaced altogether! Wait until your home is primed before applying and caulking. Do not apply paint to damaged wood and expect that it will make it any better. Paint on damaged siding is a waste of your paint and waste of your time. Do it right the first time and repair it or replace it.
Prime It!
Use primer or paint and primer to cover your home. Primers will provide a smooth surface for paint to adhere to. You can save yourself time by using a paint sprayer and quickly back-rolling paint on to help it fill every bit of your home’s surface.
You’re Now Ready to Paint!
Clean your sprayer and fill with paint (unless you used a paint and primer earlier). Make sure you plan which direction you plan on spraying before you begin. You must take care to move quickly to prevent runs. Follow up immediately with a roller to push paint into cracks and crevices.
If painting your home’s exterior is not a DIY project you’re interested in, we would love to help! Call us if you are near Breckenridge, Frisco, Keystone, Vail or just about anywhere nearby. We can be reached at 970 418-5368 cell or 970-547-9778 office.