Today I will teach you some tips which you can use when painting the exterior of the house and getting the desired results which you want.
These tips and tricks are from my own personal experience and some are gathered from my painter friends who are also professionals in their work and regularly do painting stuff.
This guide is best for beginners who want to do the exterior paint job by themselves without making any mistakes on the house surface.
If you’ve ever painted your home, you know that painting can be one of the most stressful projects you ever do.
What makes the task even more challenging is that painting the outside of your home will require you to use so many different types of equipment, such as ladders and scaffolding.
The secret to a quality paint job is to be as prepared as possible before you begin. This blog will look at some tips to help make sure that you are prepared to paint your home.
Exterior House Painting Tips
Look for quality instead of price
The longer you can put off painting, the better it is for your walls.
There’s no denying, however, that punting on repainting your home requires a lot of commitment, not to mention motivation and drive.
This is why knowledgeable experts recommend sticking with paints guaranteed to last longer than average – not only because it extends the time.
You’ll have it before needing a new coat of paint but also because it will save you money in the long run; surely cheaper paints are tempting up front.
But when they don’t work after a few months or even years, you’ll eventually find yourself having to repaint anyway.
Check the weather before painting
Never rush a painting project. The weather is crucial to consider, so you should know what to expect from your surroundings and plan ahead accordingly.
Select a dry season with minimal humidity and no chance of marathon winters or suffocating summers or the paint is going to run the first time it gets wet.
There are few things more frustrating than carefully crafting an elaborate mural for people to experience.
Only to watch it wash away in the rain no matter how hard you tried to seal it up right before painting because you didn’t take the weather into account like the experienced artist that you are.
Don’t paint on dirt surface
In order for paint to adhere properly, the surface needs to be as smooth and clean as possible.
This goes for weather-beaten, chipped, or peeling areas, as well as any rough or uneven patches.
Scrape away peeling paint and sand away rough spots until the surface feeling is no longer rough but instead smooth.
Then use a scraper or hand tool to remove any loose paint chips.
Be sure your tools are properly sanitized between different surfaces so that mold or mildew doesn’t spread throughout your job (and your home).
Also don’t paint on rotten sidings
Rotten wood and siding is as good as trash. It will contribute nothing to a paint job other than more rot.
Your main two options are to replace the rotted wood or you can use a wood hardener and just cover the rot with an exterior filler product known as a wood filler.
Either way, you desire, you must prep and sand the surface of rotten wood before painting it with either a wood hardener or filler product.
Unless your intent is to bring in some outside expertise so that they may deal with surface deterioration for you instead.
Protection of landscape if necessary
It’s a messy job but someone has to do it, am I right?
So wear your paint-fighting best and grab a roll of plastic wrap or sheets of cardboard so you can completely cover anything you don’t want to be covered in paint.
Remove any furniture, and garden gnomes and stick around because although painting can look easy — it’s going to take a little longer than expected…
Usage of primer
The old adage that we should apply primer before paint still holds true. It’s a good rule to follow when working with new paint technologies.
That gives you the ability to enjoy convenient coats of paint without having to significantly alter our traditional priming process.
However, even though manufacturers claim that this newer paint is able to achieve dazzling results by combining the functions of primer and latex in one formula.
You will find many folks in your area who aren’t willing to give up their favorite tricks especially because these paints tend to be more expensive than some pre-made options.
The best way to know whether new paints have a place in your painting habits is by looking at reviews from folks who are already using them.
Combination of paint cans
When selecting paint for your home’s exterior, but more can than you think you will need.
Mix multiple cans of the same color into a larger container, such as a five-gallon bucket; this will ensure the correct shade is applied to your house.
If you must pick up more paint, returning to the original store allows you to make sure you’re informed about which colors are already on site.
And should be used first, as well as prevent confusion during application and masking procedures.
Paint technique from top to bottom
When you’re painting a ceiling, start at the top and work your way down.
When you do it this way, you can let gravity help you control the direction of any drips by working with it instead of against it.
If a drip still happens, there’s no need to worry; try to feather out this mistake with your brush in the direction that you are currently painting in.
Seal properly
Make sure to seal your paint containers after you complete a project for the day so the paint doesn’t dry out.
You can also use plastic wrap to create an airtight seal over the opening in order to prolong its longevity.
If you know that a painting project will take more than one day, don’t take down all of your supplies at once and leave them out.
Take rollers and roller covers and place them into plastic supermarket bags; then tie them up tight until you need them again because otherwise they’ll be ruined from drying out.
Paintbrushes can also be placed in plastic bags or wrapped in plastic wrap if there won’t be another chance to use them later.
Sanding is advised
When painting surfaces that get a lot of traffic consider adding in some sand or other additives that are designed to provide extra traction on the treated surface.
An example would be painted porch steps which can become slick just by applying paint alone!
The best thing to do is to find something like play sand (or probably better, if you have the option) or add in some other additives that are designed for this specific purpose.
Remove loose paint
Once the clapboards are dry, use a scraper to remove loose paint and other debris.
A handheld scraper is usually the best tool for the job, though you can also use a hot-air gun or infrared paint, stripper.
Never use nasty chemicals such as an open-flame torch or corrosive chemical stripper.
To work lead safely and legally, wear protective gear, water down the paint as you scrape it off, and collect the debris for proper disposal at your local dumpster.
Fix the surface
After you have washed, scraped, and sanded your stained fences, step back and inspect what you’ve uncovered—holes, dings, and chips.
Fill minor holes or dings in the fences with a patching compound or putty to hide any gaps that may be very visible after washing the deck.
If you’ve got a major problem on your hand with all of these holes appearing in some of your swimming pool fencings.
It would be wise to summon a carpenter to fix the damages that were left behind from water pooling there long enough that they began rotting out.
Also, make sure you fix any drainage problems before they start causing major issues.
Caulk the joints
If a paint job looks smooth, that’s thanks to the work of Siliconized or top-of-the-line polyurethane acrylic caulks.
But natural joints don’t just feel good — they also help prevent drafts, water infiltration, and other problems.
Spring tube polyurethane caulks with 55-year warranties, which will stand up to weather better than 35-year caulks.
Can last forever and the average house requires a mere seven tubes of caulk. The two most common types are silicone and acrylic (polyurethane).
While silicone is waterproof, it isn’t resistant to oil and gasoline so it’s not suited for indoor use.
Acrylic polyurethane caulking contains no silicon so it can be used anywhere in the home where moisture may be an issue.
Top coats are good for protection
Less can equal much more when it comes to topcoats.
Applying too many coats might leave your paint flaking off in the years to come – but with fewer layers, there’s better bonding between each coat.
If you’re going from white to yellow or creams, you might be able to get away with one topcoat.
Going from light colors such as white and cream to darker ones like a nice rich dark red or purple, it is better that you do apply two layers.
What is the best way to paint a house exterior?
The best way to paint a house exterior is to follow these steps:
- Prepare the surface: This includes cleaning the exterior of the house, filling any cracks or holes, and sanding down any rough areas.
- Choose the right paint: Exterior paint should be specifically designed for outdoor use and able to withstand the elements.
- Apply primer: A primer is a coat of paint that is applied before the main color. It helps to seal the surface and provides a better surface for the topcoat to adhere to.
- Paint the trim: It’s easiest to paint the trim first and then the siding.
- Paint the siding: Use a paint roller or sprayer to apply paint to the siding.
- Allow the paint to dry completely before applying a second coat, if necessary.
- Clean the equipment: After finishing painting, it is important to clean the equipment used to prevent paint build-up and prolong the life of the equipment.
It’s important to note that safety is important while painting and you should take the necessary precautions such as wearing protective gear and working on a stable and safe surface.
What do you paint first on exterior of house?
When painting the exterior of a house, it’s best to start by painting the trim first. The trim includes areas such as the window and door frames, eaves, and any other decorative elements.
Painting the trim first allows you to cover any drips or overspray that may occur while painting the siding.
And also allows you to get a clean edge around the trim, which can be difficult to achieve if you paint the siding first.
Additionally, if you’re using multiple colors, starting with the trim allows you to ensure that the colors match before painting the siding.
Once the trim is painted and dry, you can then move on to painting the siding.
Can I paint over existing exterior paint?
Yes, you can paint over existing exterior paint, but there are a few things to consider before doing so:
- Condition of the existing paint: If the existing paint is in good condition and is not peeling, cracking, or chalking, it can be painted over.
- Compatibility: Make sure that the new paint is compatible with the existing paint. If the existing paint is oil-based, you will need to use an oil-based paint for the new coat. If the existing paint is water-based, you can use either water-based or oil-based paint for the new coat.
- Surface preparation: Before applying new paint, the existing paint should be cleaned and lightly sanded to remove any dirt, grime, and loose or chalky paint. You may also need to fill any cracks or holes, or use a deglosser to remove any glossy finish.
- Consider the age of the existing paint: if the paint is older than 15 years, it may be a good idea to strip it completely, as the adhesion and flexibility may not be good anymore, which can cause the new paint to peel or crack.
- Try a paint sample: Before committing to a full paint job, it’s a good idea to try a small sample of the new paint on the existing paint to ensure that the new paint will adhere properly and that you’re happy with the color and finish.
If the existing paint is in poor condition and you’re experiencing issues like peeling, cracking, or chalking, it’s best to remove it completely before applying new paint.
Is it better to spray or roll exterior paint?
Both spraying and rolling exterior paint have their own set of pros and cons.
Spraying Pros:
- Faster application
- Better coverage
- Less overspray
- Smooth finish
Cons:
- More expensive equipment
- Harder to reach tight spaces
- More overspray
- Potential for uneven application if not done properly
Rolling Pros:
- Inexpensive equipment
- Easy to reach tight spaces
- Less overspray
- Less chance of uneven application
Cons:
- Slower application
- Less coverage
- Can leave brush or roller marks on the surface
- More time and effort to achieve a smooth finish
Ultimately, the choice of whether to spray or roll exterior paint will depend on the specific project and the painter’s preferences and skill level.
FAQ’s of Exterior House Painting Tips
Summary of Exterior House Painting Tips
We hope that you enjoyed our post about painting tips. If you’re looking to paint your house exterior, we hope these tips will help you get the results you want.
If you’re looking for more information on how to paint your house exterior, please contact us anytime in the comments section.
Thank you for reading, we are always excited when one of our posts is able to provide useful information on a topic like this.
Till next time take good care of yourself and your equipment.
Matthew Edward is a professional painter who loves to paint and wants to share useful tips and tricks which he had learned in many years of experience in painting. He also used many products that can be used for painting he has tried and tested each and every product to give an unbias opinion about it in his review. This blog is very useful for those newbies who want to learn painting without making mistakes.
