Painting your home’s exterior can be a significant task, but you can save time and effort with careful preparation. By following the right steps, you’ll ensure that your exterior painting project is successful and long-lasting.
Let’s get straight to the point
Preparing your home for an exterior paint job requires proper planning and attention to detail. Start by assessing the areas that need painting and choose high-quality latex or oil-based paints.
Clean and sand the surfaces to ensure a smooth base, and apply primer for better paint adhesion. Use the right tools, such as brushes and rollers, for even application.
Be mindful of weather conditions and avoid painting in direct sunlight or humidity. If your home has lead paint or mould, handle it safely.
After painting, maintain your exterior with regular inspections and touch-ups to ensure a long-lasting, professional finish.
1. Assess The Painting Area
Before starting your exterior paint job, evaluate the areas that need painting. Do you need to paint the entire exterior, or just the shutters and trims? Understanding the scope of your project will help you better plan your time and resources.
You should also choose your colours and paints carefully. Many paint companies offer sample books that provide suggested colour schemes, making it easier to decide. If you are stuck between two colours, purchase small quantities of both and create large samples on the wall to compare how they look.
2. Choose The Right Paint
The type of paint you choose plays a crucial role in the longevity of your paint job. In Australia, latex paint is often the preferred choice due to its ease of use and durability.
Latex paints are also easier to clean and last longer than oil-based paints. However, investing in high-quality paint is essential regardless of the type you go for. Skimping on paint quality can lead to more time applying multiple coats, and your finish may not last as long.
Clean The Surfaces Before Painting
Ensuring your surface is free from dirt, dust, and old, peeling paint is critical. Before painting, clean the house’s exterior thoroughly using water to wash away grime and mildew.
Use a pressure washer for faster results, but be careful with older or softer materials like wood, which can be damaged by high-pressure water. For older wooden surfaces, scrub with soap and water to maintain the integrity of the wood.
After cleaning, ensure that the surface is dull and dry. Wrapping plants and landscaping around the house with plastic can protect them during this stage.
3. Scrape And Sand The Surfaces
Once the exterior is clean, the next step is to scrape away any peeling paint. Use a stiff wire brush or a paint scraper to remove loose or flaking paint.
Be careful to scrape along the grain of the wood to avoid splintering. After scraping, you may need to sand the surfaces. This will help create a smooth base for the new paint and ensure better adhesion.
For a good finish, sand the walls with medium-grit sandpaper and then go over the trim with fine-grit paper. Proper sanding is essential for a lasting paint job and avoiding future peeling.
4. Protect The Area From Temperature Fluctuations
It’s essential to time your painting project carefully based on weather conditions. In Australia, the best time to paint the exterior of your home is on days with moderate humidity and temperatures between 24 and 29 degrees Celsius.
Paint in direct sunlight or high humidity can result in blisters, uneven finishes, and reduced durability. Stick to painting in shaded areas and avoid extreme temperature fluctuations for the best results.
5. Lead And Pollutants
For homes built before 1978, checking for lead-based paint before starting your project is important. Lead paint is harmful, and scraping or sanding it can release hazardous particles into the air.
If you discover lead paint, hiring a professional who specialises in paint removal is best. They will ensure the safe removal of the paint before any new layers are applied.
In addition to lead, mould and mildew are common pollutants, particularly in humid regions. Look for dark, fuzzy patches that indicate mould or mildew.
Test suspicious stains with bleach – if the area clears up, it’s likely mould. You can remove these pollutants using a bleach solution (3:1 ratio of water to bleach) or a commercial cleaner designed for this purpose.
Prime The Surface
Priming is one of the most critical steps when preparing your home for painting. Primer helps new paint adhere better and covers areas where old paint has been removed.
If you’re painting over oil-based paint, you’ll need an appropriate primer to ensure the new layer of paint sticks properly. Choose a primer that matches the type of paint you intend to use—latex primers for latex paints and oil-based primers for oil paints. Priming also evens out the colour and helps the topcoat last longer.
6. Select The Right Brushes And Tools
Your choice of tools is almost as important as the paint itself. Using the right brushes and rollers ensures a smoother and more even finish.
When applying latex paint, opt for a brush with a nylon-polyester blend. Natural bristle brushes are better suited for oil-based paints. Ensure your brush is balanced in your hand, allowing you better control as you paint.
Rollers are ideal for larger, flat areas like walls, while brushes work best for trims and small, intricate spaces. Using high-quality brushes and rollers reduces visible brush strokes and ensures a professional-looking finish.
7. Safety First
Painting can pose some safety risks, especially when working on a multi-storey home. Ensure that ladders are stable and never overreach while working.
Wear protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and a mask when working with chemicals like paint and cleaners. This is especially important when sanding or working with lead-based paint, as inhaling dust or fumes can be dangerous.
8. Final Preparation Before Painting
You’re ready to start painting once you’ve primed and sanded the surface and the weather conditions are right. Here are a few final steps to make sure you’re all set:
- Double-check for missed spots where paint might not adhere, such as unprimed areas or unclean surfaces.
- Make sure you have enough paint and all the necessary tools on hand.
- Tape off windows, doors, and trims to ensure a clean, precise finish.
9. Painting In Steps
Start your painting project by applying a thin, even layer of paint. You can use a roller for larger areas or a brush for detailed sections. If you switch from a dark to a light colour (or vice versa), you may need multiple coats to achieve full coverage.
Be mindful of paint drying times. It’s tempting to rush through the project, but allowing adequate time between coats will ensure the paint adheres properly and lasts longer. Most paints require at least two coats, especially if the dramatic colour changes.
Post-Painting Care And Maintenance
Once your exterior painting job is complete, maintaining it is essential to maintaining its appearance and longevity. Inspect the exterior annually for signs of wear and tear, such as peeling paint or mildew growth.
Ensure that dirt, pollen, and bird droppings are washed off regularly, as these can damage the paint over time. If you notice any cracks or gaps in the caulk, apply fresh caulking to keep your home watertight. Doing this will help your new paint job last for many years.
Conclusion
Preparing your home for an exterior paint job is essential to achieving a high-quality, long-lasting finish. By assessing the painting area, choosing the right materials, and carefully cleaning and priming the surfaces, you’ll set the foundation for a successful project.
Taking the time to avoid common mistakes and following post-painting care guidelines ensures that your fresh coat of paint looks great and withstands the elements for years to come. With proper planning and attention to detail, your exterior painting project will enhance your home’s appearance and durability.
FAQs
Should You Pressure Wash House Before Painting?
When you pressure wash prior to painting, you get the opportunity to remove all of the dirt, debris, and cobwebs from the surface. It is essential to clean your home in order to provide the new coat with the best possible opportunity to adhere to the undercoat.
Do I Need to Sand Before Painting Exterior?
Sanding must be done to completely remove any peeling that has occurred. Before painting, areas that are cracking need to have exterior grade filler applied to them and then sanded down. Use wire brushing or sanding to remove any rust from metal surfaces, and then prime those surfaces with All Metal Primer before applying a top coat.
How Many Coats of Paint Should You Put on Exterior House?
When painting over a surface that has been thoroughly prepared and primed, you should only need to apply two coats of paint at the most. This is especially important to keep in mind if you plan on painting a darker colour over a lighter colour that is already present, as doing so will ensure that you have adequate coverage.
How Long After Rain Can You Paint House?
In most cases, you should wait at least four hours before beginning to paint after it has rained. 4 hours is with perfect weather and sunlight shining directly on you. It is dependent on factors such as whether or not your home is exposed to direct sunlight, how windy it is, and the relative humidity of the air. Before beginning the painting process, it is recommended to use a moisture metre.
What Is the Best Time to Paint House Exterior?
Early in the summer and early in the fall are typically the best times of year for weather, as there is less likelihood of precipitation and less variation in temperature from day to night. This will ensure that the paint goes on smoothly and has the opportunity to dry and cure in the correct manner.
