The exterior of your home can be painted to increase curb appeal and protect it from the elements.Proper preparation and technique is essential to achieving long-lasting results, whether you tackle the project yourself or hire professionals.Every step, from choosing the right tools and paint to timing your job according to the weather conditions, plays a part in the outcome.This guide will walk you through all the steps you need to take to make sure your exterior paint job looks great and lasts for years.
Step 1: Pressure wash walls
Remove dirt and dust from the house with a pressure cleaner to ensure maximum coverage.TIP: Move from the top to the bottom of your house in a controlled, smooth manner. Overlap each stroke by eight inches.
Step 2: Repair damaged surfaces
Take note of any damaged surfaces, such as wood, masonry or metal siding, stucco, etc.Spackle knife is used to apply epoxy filler into cracks and holes.After the epoxy has dried, lightly sand with a medium-grit sanding pad.
Step 3: Remove loose paint
After exterior has dried, go around the perimeter of your house and note any chipped or loose paint.Drop cloths should be placed along the ground. Remove chipped or loose paint with a paint scraper, medium-grit sanding blocks or a paint scraper.
Step 4: Caulk trim
Use exterior caulk to fill in any gaps around windows and doors.Add caulk to the surface of the house if it has a mixture of materials, such as brick and siding.
Step 5: Prime stains
Check exterior for visible knots or stains.Paintbrush: Apply a single coat of primer that blocks stains.
Step 6: Protect windows, doors and lights
Use painter’s adhesive and plastic sheets to cover windows, doors and light fixtures.
Step 7: Painting exterior
Paint sprayer: Load the flat or eggshell color exterior paint into it. Apply one or two coats of flat or eggshell paint to the entire house, depending on the intensity of the color. Work from top to bottom in a controlled, smooth manner, overlapping each stroke by eight inches. To ensure proper coverage, apply primer before changing the exterior color of a house from dark to light or light to dark. When a new coat of the existing color is applied, primer is not required. For best results and a professional finish, many homeowners choose to hire exterior painters in Auckland who are experienced in using paint sprayers and selecting the right materials for the local climate.
Step 8: Painting trim and doors
Remove the plastic sheeting covering doors, windows, and light fixtures.Paintbrush: Apply two coats exterior semigloss color to woodwork, doors and windows.Remove drop cloths.
