Picking up the best possible exterior paint you can find holds the key to quality results outdoors. As does ensuring you use it properly, and applying as many coats as necessary to get the job done.
Nevertheless, it’s all largely inconsequential if you don’t start things the right way in the first place. Specifically, the extent to which you prioritize the prep when painting your home’s exterior can and will make a major difference to the final result.
But what exactly does preparation mean when getting an exterior surface ready to be painted? What are the kinds of tasks that should be prioritized or entrusted to a team of commercial painters to get things done quicker, faster and more thoroughly?
Requirements vary from one property and project to the next, but there are several exterior paint prep essentials that should always be given due focus:
- Clean
For example, it is inevitable that you will have to clean the exterior of your home as thoroughly as possible, prior to going ahead. Irrespective of whether your home was painted 20 years ago, 10 years ago or even just two years ago, the dirt, debris and general grime that will have accumulated on the surface needs to be dealt with.
Thankfully, cleaning you home’s exterior can be as easy as giving it a good rinse with a garden hose or a pressure washer on a gentle setting. Followed by a good scrub with a broom and a second rinse to wash it away, you’ll be left with a far more forgiving surface to paint.
- Let It Dry
Obvious it may be, but the importance of giving your home’s exterior plenty of time to dry cannot be overstated. If there is even the slightest amount of residual moisture left on the surface of the material, even the best primer and paint in the world isn’t going to get the job done.
It’s for this reason that it is important to time the project carefully – never when there is a chance of rain or humidity levels are high. You’ll almost certainly need to give your home a good day or so for the exterior to become dry enough to paint, so plan your attack strategically and keep an eye on the weather.
- Remove Peeling Paint
While it can be tempting to simply paint over any damaged and peeling paint you come across along the way, doing so will always prove counterproductive. At first, you’ll probably do a decent enough job hiding the damage and be left with a smooth and even finish. However, give it a few weeks and the cracks will begin to show through, doing a number on your new paint job and compromising the whole thing.
Cracked paint and peeling paint are easy enough to scrape away, and doing so will save you time and effort long-term. If the current paintwork on the exterior of your home is in particularly poor condition, consider hiring help to remove it in its entirety and start again from scratch.
- Repair Damage & Set Nail Heads
This is also the ideal time to note for any damage to the material itself around your home, in order to perform any repairs that may be necessary. Damaged wood is relatively easy to deal with, so don’t overlook those cracks, splits and rotten spots you come across as you go.
Remove the damage, use some quality filler to patch the subsequent gaps and sand it away to a smooth finish after it dries. Again, it may be better to hire help if the damage is extensive – or if you’re not entirely confident in your capabilities to handle the job yourself.
- Prime Properly
Last but not least, priming properly is an absolute must when looking to paint the exterior of your home to perfection. The quality of the primer you use (and how carefully it is applied to the surface) will make just as big of a difference to the final result as the paint itself.
It’s the primer you use that will determine if and to what extent the paint sticks in place properly and shines in all its glory. While it can be tempting to rush the priming process (or skip it entirely), it’s something you’ll come to regret when the job needs doing again a few weeks down the line.
At Homm CPS, we offer a comprehensive range of flexible and affordable exterior painting services to suit all budgets. Call or e-mail anytime for an obligation-free initial consultation with a member of our team.