Exterior House Painting Tips

By Author: James Field
Total Articles: 87
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Is your house looking drab? Weather abuse, color fade, and paint chipping can impact any home's appearance, sometimes making it look older than it is. Breathe new life into the outside of your home by following a couple of exterior house painting tips by experts of home renovation services.

Pay Attention to Weather Conditions

Home painters in Brooklyn concur- Temperature, moisture, and wind all affect house painting projects. Whenever you've decided to dive into a particularly large-scale project, it is essential to be mindful of outdoor conditions. As a general principle, avoid extraordinary conditions, for example,

Moisture and Humidity: Paint won't adhere to damp or wet surfaces, so avoid painting on humid days or days when rain is on the horizon. Instead, aim for a dry, mild day for the painting project.

Extraordinary Sunlight: The rate at which paint dries can dramatically impact the outcome. Painting in exceptional or direct sunlight is a no-no because the warmth causes paint to dry too rapidly, resulting in lap marks (dark spots caused by painting over dried layers).

Extreme Wind ...
... - Leaves, dust, dirt. A couple of things you don't want mixing with a new coat of paint. Never paint in windy conditions, as debris will blow into the wet paint, ruining the project.

Low Temperatures: Paint compounds behave differently depending on temperature. Latex paint, the most common exterior house paint, shouldn't be applied under 50 degrees except if the label says otherwise. This means that even a brisk fall day could even be impossible.

Quality is # 1

The old adage of "You get what you pay for" holds valid. This is your home, and it should stand out in all the right ways. Take the time to invest in high-quality paints and painting tools to take care of business rights.

Quality Paint

Latex paint is the go-to for exterior painting because it's simple to apply, dries fast, and spills are easily cleaned with soap and water. Aim for 100% latex/acrylic paint. This paint has three main parts: pigment (provides color), binders (adheres paint), and solvents (makes paint spreadable). The better binders in acrylic make it last more.

Premium Tools

Using the right tools is an unquestionable requirement for the project. Keep in mind: quality over expense. At the same time, prices run a little higher; search for paint brushes that have synthetic bristles to spread paint more cleanly. Additionally, for those larger siding areas, you'll need a couple of durable rollers. Invest in a heavy-duty roller cage (the part with the handle), a couple of ½-inch nap roller covers, and a roller screen.

Surface Prep

Prime conditions and premium materials won't mean a thing for your exterior paintwork if you disregard adequately preparing the surface. For a lasting paint finish on your brick or siding, clean the surface and clear away free debris.

Out with the Old

Before applying new paint, give a valiant effort to dispose of the old. This is especially obvious if it's chipped, as fresh paint will not adhere appropriately. Take a scraper and carefully chip away at the old coating to create a smoother surface. Have mildew buildup, too? Utilize a 50/50 water/bleach solution to clean the area.

Wash and Sand

For stubborn chips and dirt, bring out the big weapons. Utilize a pressure washer to remove dirt and to linger peeling paint, letting the siding dry after. For a pristine work area, sand the surface of your home's siding to guarantee that all remaining debris is removed and the surface is ready for paint.