How to do exterior painting

No matter how many times you have had second thoughts and delayed, you must know that exterior paint project is crucial for your house. It not only contributes to the beautification but also makes your home sharp. Your house paint makes your home stand out in the crowd.

 

 If the exterior of the house is aesthetically pleasing, it leaves a lasting impression on the visitors and pedestrians with its kerb appeal. It will increase the value of your house. Quality paint protects your house from natural elements by adding an extra layer to your house. Plus, you will do your home a favour through damage repair. Sometimes, the small flaws like water stains, mould, mildew remain invisible. Initiating the exterior painting can help you to address these issues.    

 

You must follow a specific process when you are considering exterior paint. Now, in this article, the process of exterior home painting will be discussed.

Plan

When you are thinking about exterior home painting, plan, consider the areas you want to paint. Think about the budget, paint quality, and necessary tools. Do you want the whole exterior painted or just a specific portion? Think about do you want to paint it yourself or do you want to hire professionals? It is advisable to appoint a professional. 

Selection of the colour

After you are done with the planning, it is time for the selection of colours. Brainstorm what colours do you want, dual paints in India are quite popular these days. With the use of dual paints, you can experiment various styles and colour combinations. Exterior home paint quality is different than interior house paint, so read the description of the paint can or talk to a professional before applying. If you choose the wrong quality product, it might ruin the outcome.

 

• Latex paint dries quickly; it is easy to apply durable and resistant to the direct sunlight. 

• Acrylic Latex paint is superior quality latex. It can be used to cover any building material, including masonry and primed metal.

Wait till the weather gets dry

Best time to do exterior home paint is when the weather is dry; it means no rain, lower humidity. Be informed about your local weather and plan accordingly. 

Start with a clean surface

It is the rule number one for almost any paint job, so the paints stay brighter and longer. Remove dust and dirt buildup from bottom to the top of your house using a pressure washer. 

Repair small flaws

Investigate the entire perimeter properly and take notes if there are any damaged surface. Use fillers like white cement or sand to cover the holes and cracks. 

Remove loose paint

After the exterior is dry, check if there are any loose paint remaining on the wall. Use paint scrapers or a medium grit sanding block. 

Painter’s caulk or sealant

Painter’s caulk or sealant provides waterproofing solutions, with acrylic sealants and anti-rust chemicals. 

Painting tools

Arrange all the essential painting tools before you start with the painting. Proper tools are mandatory to have perfect finishing. For example, if you choose latex paint, it is wise to use a nylon or polyester blend brush. In contrast, for oil-based paints, use of a natural-bristle brush is recommended. Must-have tools when considering exterior paint is:

•  Ladder, 

• Drop cloths, 

• Surface-prep tools,

•  Caulk gun, 

• Buckets and 

• Cans of paint, 

• Roller screen and tray, 

• Paint brushes, 

• Paint rollers, 

• Paint sprayer. 

Prime stains

Now its time for the first coat of stain-blocking primer. Primers are preparatory coatings that must be used before painting or staining.  

Trimming

Once you are finished with the priming, get set with the trimming. Semigloss paint works great for trims. Check the paint catalogue to match the trim with the rest of the house paint. Dual paints in India has numerous options to choose from. If you are in doubt, start by trying out the paint in a smaller area. This way, you will get an idea of how it is going to turn out. Try to be consistent with the neighbourhood exterior as well.   

Cover doors, lights and windows

Use plastic covers to protect doors, lights and windows. You don’t want messy paint to stain your lights, doors or windows. If you have planters, it is wise to cover those too.  

Start painting

Now, it is time to start painting. Load the colour of your choice into the paint sprayer and begin. How many coats do you need to apply? That depends on your preference of the hue. Work your way from top to the bottom in a controlled manner. 

 

Painting the exterior of your home seems like a work for a professional, which it is. But, with some basic knowledge, proper motivation, tools and guide, you can do it too. One important thing to remember is that you should never put a new coat of latex over an old coat of oil paint to avoid peeling. Painting the exterior is very exciting, while diligent prep work before the paint is inevitable.