As professional painters, we’re often asked what the secret is to a superior exterior paint job. We’re often approached by customers (new and old) who’ve every intention of getting to business on their exteriors manually. An endeavor we wholeheartedly support – there’s nothing quite as satisfying as completing an ambitious DIY project.

In answer to the question, however, we always say the same:

There’s no secret involved.

Instead, producing a pro-quality result outdoors simply means approaching the job with the same attitude and plan-of-attack as the pros. You can forget about shortcuts and the possibility of an easy ride, but get it right and your home’s exterior could be looking picture-perfect for years on end.

Maybe even a decade, if you really hit the nail on the head!

So rather than searching for the elusive secret to a pro-quality paint job at home, focus instead on what really matters. That being, the five simple(ish) steps that add up to exterior painting perfection:

Step 1: Prepare

Contrary to popular belief, preparation doesn’t simply mean ensuring you’ve got enough paint to cover the surfaces and bringing any old brush out of retirement. Instead, it means carrying out an inspection of every last inch of your home’s exterior surfaces. From the biggest exterior panels to the smallest details to fascia boards to window frames and so on, you need to make sure everything is in perfect condition for painting. If it isn’t, you’ll need to arm yourself with some filler and tackle the repairs before getting started.

Step 2: Wash And Dry

When you’re happy your exteriors are in decent enough condition, you’ll need to give the whole thing a good wash. There’s nothing quite like excess dirt, dust and debris standing in the way of an otherwise perfect paint job. Don’t take things to extremes and end up damaging the surfaces in the process, but ensure everything is given a thorough clean and rinse. After which, leave it a good day or two to give your exteriors time to dry. Keep tabs on the weather and on ambient humidity levels outdoors, as you won’t be able to move on if there’s any residual moisture left behind.

Step 3: Prime

Priming isn’t particularly difficult, but tends to be a job that’s hurried or skipped entirely by many DIYers. The problem being that unless you prime your surfaces appropriately, the paint won’t stick…it just won’t. We always advise investing as much time and effort in priming your surfaces as in the actual painting process itself. In doing so, you’ll find it so much easier to subsequently apply an even and flawless-looking coat of paint.

Step 4: Paint In Stages

Starting at the top and working your way down is always the way to go, but it’s also advisable to paint your home in stages. Particularly if it’s a relatively large property, there’s no point attempting to get the whole thing done at once.  Instead, it’s far better to focus on smaller areas on a step-by-step basis, only moving on when you’re 100% happy with your work so far. It may take longer to get the job done, but you’ll be glad you invested the extra time and effort when you’re finished.

Step 5: Trims And Details

Last but not least, it’s up to you whether you go ahead and tackle the trims and details around your home first, or right at the end. There’s no specific approach that’s ‘better’ than the other, just as long as you allocate enough time to get it done properly. Any features that can be removed (such as shutters) should be taken off, prepped, primed, painted and put back when dry. Otherwise, it’s a case of taking your time, using quality painters’ tape and carefully considering your color choices. If you’ve gone for something understated and timeless as your home’s primary exterior color, don’t be afraid to go bold and beautiful with its trims and details!

Of course, there is one alternative approach to painting that removes all of the above from the equation – why not hire help? Here at Homm CPS, our bespoke exterior painting services are tailored to meet the exact requirements and budgets of each client individually. So if you’d prefer not to go it alone, we’re standing by to step in!

For more information or to discuss your requirements in more detail, contact a member of the team at Homm CPS today.