There is probably nothing better to enhance the curb appeal of your home than a fresh coat of paint. Whether you are interested in taking advantage of a seller’s market or just wanting to spruce up your own castle, painting the exterior of your home is a great do-it-yourself project.
The professional painters will all agree that the most important steps in a quality paint job happen before the first drop of paint is applied. Those include preparing the surface so the paint will adhere properly and last as long as a great coat of paint should and trimming or tying any shrubs or limbs away from the house.
Pressure washing your house will remove a lot of dirt and debris, and if there is any loose paint, it will be revealed so you can attack it with your paint scraper. You can use trisodium phosphate (TSP) mixed with water in your pressure washer to aid in removing mold, mildew and other surface impurities. Be sure to use proper protective gear when using any such chemical solution. Spray the home at relatively low pressure, being careful not to spray deep into cracks or openings in your exterior surfaces. Before you start scraping, go ahead and place your drop cloths on the ground and/or over your shrubs to catch the paint debris. This will make your cleanup go a lot faster when the job is complete.
The next step is to scrape the loose paint. Note that there are power scrapers available for rent that are connected to a large vacuum. Regardless of what kind of scraper you use, if lead paint is involved, you will want to use proper protective gear as outlined by the EPA. As you proceed with the scraping, you will probably come upon some areas where wood has deteriorated or pulled away from its connecting surfaces. You can stop scraping and make these repairs as you go along or make note of them, so you can get back to them and make the necessary repairs before you start priming the surface. Either way, it is important to make sure the repairs are completed before you start painting. Any rotting wood should be removed completely and either replaced with new wood, or perhaps a wood filler can be used.
Sanding will be your next step. An orbital sander with medium grit paper will help feather the edges of any remaining paint and make a smoother transition, as well as create a better surface for the fresh paint.
With a paint brush, apply a coat of quality primer to any raw or repaired surfaces, as well as any stains or unsightly knots in the wood. If you are going to repaint with the same color, priming the entire surface may not be necessary, but if you are going to use a lighter or darker color, priming will seal the prior surface and enhance the finished paint job. Also, many quality paints today contain primer with the paint, which may also be an option for you. Discuss your project with your paint supplier.
You will want to caulk any cracks around doors and windows, and there may also be areas to fill where wood (or other siding or finish material) contacts another surface, such as brick or stonework. Priming before caulking provides a better contact surface for the caulk. On an older home, reglazing your windows is often part of any exterior painting project. These details enhance the aesthetics of the home, and they may also help with your loss of heating and cooling.
Paint the trim around doors and windows first, using an angled brush. Take care to not paint the windows closed! You may want to mask all the glass first to avoid the sometimes-tedious task of scraping the paint off the windows later. Follow the paint manufacturer’s guidelines for drying time before applying a second coat.
Finally, you can begin painting the siding with either a sprayer, brushes or rollers — and you may choose to use a combination of these. Working from the top down will help you correct the inevitable drips as you go. Now give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done!
Sources:
1. Homedepot.com.
2. HGTV.com.
Written by Bill Smith
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