When painting the exterior of your home, it is important to use the right equipment and the best exterior house paints. While you can do it on your own, you should use an extra hand if you want to paint faster. Here are some effective tips for painting the exterior of your house.
Pressure wash walls
It is important to ensure the best coverage by removing dust and dirt build-up from your house using a pressure washer. Work your way from the top downwards in a controlled and smooth manner. Ensure each stroke overlaps by eight inches.
Repair damaged surfaces
You should walk around the perimeter of the house and take note of damaged surfaces such as masonry, siding, wood, metal, or stucco. If you find any holes or cracks, use a spackle knife to apply epoxy filler. Once the filler is dry, sand using medium-grit sandpaper or sanding block.
Remove loose paint
Allow the exterior to dry and walk around the perimeter of your house. Take note of any chipped or loose paint. Put drop cloths along the ground and remove loose and chipped paint using a medium-grit sanding block or paint scraper.
Caulk trim
Fill gaps between the trim and house around windows and doors using exterior caulk and the right caulk gun. If your house has mixed materials such as brick and siding, add caulk along the surface where the different materials meet.
Prime stains
Before you apply exterior house paint, examine the exterior for any visible wood knots or stains. Apply one coat of stain-blocking primer to the area with a paintbrush.
Protect windows, doors and lights
Cover windows, doors and lighting fixtures using painter’s tape and plastic sheeting.
Paint exterior
load your paint sprayer with eggshell exterior paint colour. Depending on the intensity of the paint hue, apply one or two coats of eggshell or quality flat exterior paint to the house. You should ensure you work from the top downwards in a controlled and smooth manner. Overlap each stroke by eight inches. If you are changing your exterior colour from a light colour to a dark colour or from dark to light then it is important to start with a primer coat to ensure proper coverage. When applying a fresh coat of existing colour, primer is not necessary.
paint trim and doors
you should remove plastic sheeting from windows, doors and lighting fixtures. If you have woodwork and doors, you should add two coats of semigloss paint colour using a paintbrush.
Spray and roll
The best way to paint the exterior of your house is to spray and roll. This method will require two people. One person should use a sprayer to evenly and quickly spread paint across the surface while the other person should follow behind and run a roller over the paint the first person sprayed on. This will deliver an even finish.
If your budget allows, apply a second layer of the best exterior house paints. Muted colours will cover better compared to bright colours. You may require a second coat for vibrant shades.