There are many reasons to repaint your home’s exterior - anywhere from a change in style, to adding home value, to preparing to sell. And, you should always proactively be on the lookout for the signs of your home needing repainting. Whatever the case, there are certain tasks you can do to make sure your exterior paint job is the most successful it can be. Follow our guide for three things to do before painting your home’s exterior.
Gauge the Weather
A key factor to ensuring optimal quality with your exterior paint job is the outside temperature. It’s been said that the ideal temperature range for an exterior paint job is between 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Seasonally, that means the warmer months are prime for painting! The seasons will vary depending on the region you live in and how warm the spring, summer and fall are. If you are in the midwest, it could mean early summer and fall are the best times for painting, but if you are in the south, early spring or fall are more ideal to avoid the sweltering summers. Making sure there’s no rain in the forecast is an obvious determining factor, as well as checking the humidity levels to make sure they aren’t too high to hinder the paint from drying. The paint can also bubble during high levels of heat and humidity. If you live in a region that experiences higher humidity throughout the year, a mold and mildew-proof paint can be helpful.
If in doubt on paint type selection, checking the technical data sheet of your chosen paint can be helpful to reference.
Prepare the Surfaces
You’ll want as smooth and clean a surface as possible for the best paint job experience so the paint can adhere well. Start with cleaning off any dirt or grime with either a hose and scrub brush with water and detergent or a power washer. Follow instructions carefully when using a power washer - you don’t want to erode wood surfaces or cause damage in any way! To prepare the exterior of your home for painting, be sure to remove any old paint that is peeling off or about to peel off. Use a scraper for the already flaking paint and a sander for tougher paint. (A 5-inch disc power sander or random-orbit sander should do the trick! You can start with 60-grit sandpaper and then follow up with 100-grit sandpaper as needed). Fill in any holes or cracks using a putty knife with wood filler, and caulk any places wood meets wood. Another part of preparing surfaces for painting is covering any surfaces you do not want to be painted! This includes walkways, patios, decks and any plants, shrubs or gardens. Nearby cars might even be impacted if you use an airless paint sprayer! Use drop cloths or plastic sheeting to prevent big cleanup problems later.
Don’t have extra time for prep work? Note that Color World has a pre-painting process for preparing surfaces, and we also offer power washing service as an add-on.
Do Your Research
You’re already off to a great start reading this, but another key component of preparing for painting your home’s exterior is making sure you have all the necessary information and resources to make the best decisions for your home. Everything from paint color, to paint type, to painting company - get all the facts you need for the job! Will you use oil-based, acrylic or latex paint? Will you go for a traditional, classic look or update to the latest stylish trend? Will you do it yourself or hire a professional? Consider the time and tools you have available and be sure to read the reviews of potential painting contractors to see their track record and how many satisfied customers they have. It’s also helpful to request a few quotes to compare how competitive each company is in their market. To request a quote from Color World, schedule a free estimate using our location finder.
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