Painting the exterior of your home will increase its curb appeal and add value to the property. Before painting your home’s exterior, you need to prepare it. Cleaning, sanding, and priming surfaces will help the paint adhere and keep the final product looking fresh for years.
Follow these exterior painting tips to achieve a long-lasting look.
Remove Mildew
Mix one-part bleach with four parts of water and a little detergent or trisodium phosphate. Spray the solution on surfaces. Allow the bleach to remain on surfaces for 10-20 minutes before rinsing them with clean water.
Exterior painting contractors in Petaluma and elsewhere recommend covering plants and shrubs, if any, in the area being sprayed, as bleach can be harmful to them.
Clean Your Exterior
Be careful when pressure washing the exterior of your home to remove dirt and old paint. Use gentle force to clean wooden surfaces. Many exterior house painters in Petaluma use a hose sprayer, soap, and long-handled bristle brush to scrub exterior walls.
Get Rid of Loose Paint
The next step involves preparing walls and surfaces for painting. Use a putty knife, wire brush, or paint scraper to remove loose or peeling paint. Repair or replace rotten wood. Paint should not be used to hide problem spots, as this may make things worse.
Rotary sanders can speed up the paint removal process. If you do not have a rotary sander, consider renting one from a home improvement store near you.
If you have an old home, wear a protective mask and safety glasses when sanding or scraping paint, as houses built before 1979 can contain lead-based exterior paint.
Prime Wood
Apply stain-blocking exterior primer to exposed areas. This will help prevent knots and saps. Smooth out drips. Pay special attention to cracks, crevices, and rough spots.
Repair Cracks
Seal gaps and cracks with high-quality caulk. Once the caulk dries, paint over it. If you already have damaged caulk, remove and replace it. Use a utility knife to score along the edges of the caulk line. Scrape off the pieces with a putty knife.
Tape Off Around the Edges
To avoid the paint from getting to other parts of your home, tape off around the edges. Cover doors, windows, and hardware such as light fixtures and electrical boxes. Before applying painters’ tape to a surface, make sure it is clean.
Paint
You can use brushes, rollers, or a paint sprayer for paint application. While brushes give you maximum control, a sprayer will allow you to cover more area in less time. Consider using multiple tools for the job.
Mike Chavez Painting is a renowned painting contractor in Petaluma. We use quality products by reputable manufacturers. Instead of sticking to a few color patterns, we keep experimenting with new ideas. To discuss your project, call us at 707-623-5850.