Exterior Painting Prep

At Five Star Painting of Spokane, we understand just how exciting it can be when it comes to changing the look of your home on the outside. However, it’s important to note that painting your home can really be hard work. That’s why we are here to help you prepare for it so that you can be successful at it and not get discouraged. By prepping your home properly you will ensure that the exterior paint job is going to last for many years into the future.

So, you think you’re ready to get started? You want to rush down to your local hardware or paint store to pick out your paint colors so you can update your home. All you need to do is just get some rollers, brushes, paint, and you’re ready to go, right? Well, not so fast, there are some things you need to do in order to maximize the efficiency of the job and to minimize your frustration.

There’s a lot more to exterior painting than just getting the materials and picking out your color scheme. In fact, the truth is that almost half of the process of painting your home is the preparation. So, before you open up that paint can, we have a few steps that we’d like to offer you so that your home will look great and ensure that it lasts.

Note: Don’t go out and buy any paint until you’ve done these prepping steps.

Before You Paint, Wash Your Home

Before you start your painting it’s important that you take the time to wash the entire outside of your home this means top to bottom and all around. If you don’t have your own pressure-washer you can always rent one for a reasonable price. This will save you time and effort as opposed to trying to wash it by hand. Normally you shouldn’t have to use anything but just plain water. The only time you might need to use any cleaning additives would be in the case of mold or some other tough stain.

Scrape and Let Dry

Once your home has dried completely you then will want to go on to the next step and that means you will want to scrape away any old paint that might be flaking. You can use just a standard paint scraper along with a little bit of “elbow grease” and patience.

It’s important to note that you really need to allow your house to dry for a minimum of 24 hours before you do any scraping off the flaking paint.

Apply Caulk Before Painting

If you find that there are any cracked seams between the clapboards or along any vertical junctions, you are going to want to fill those up with some caulk. Just fill in these voids and cracks with some caulk until the caulk overflows. Then just wipe away any excess with a damp towel or rag. Just be careful not to caulk any gaps that are between structures that are used for ventilation.

Make Any Repairs – Then Consider the Paint Colors

Prepare for Exterior Painting

It’s important that you examine your home for any damage or rotted areas before you even pick out your paint colors. If you find anything it’s important that you repair any damage you might come across. If the repairs seem to be too difficult for you to do, we advise that you get the help from a handyman or a carpenter. You never want to take on something that’s beyond your own capabilities.

Apply Primer to Your Home

You will need some primer before you start painting. It’s important to prime any type of area that might be bare or exposed on the exterior of your home. The best type of primer to use is one that’s an exterior grade oil-based primer. Primers will seal any bare wood and it also creates an air and moisture tight barrier between your paint job and the home itself. You may need to have to lightly sand by hand or with a palm sander for any tough bare spots before you start your priming job.

Trim Nearby Trees and Plants

Your final step is to take care of the landscaping surrounding your home. It’s important that you trim the trees, bushes, and plants that might surround your home. This is going to give you more space to work around the house without having to fight with branches and any thorns. It’s also going to prevent the foliage and plants from touching the wet paint after it’s been applied.

Any kind of home improvement is an important investment, and this couldn’t be more true when it comes to exterior painting. It’s always a lot better to take the time to do the job right by doing all of the prep work that’s needed to make sure that your home looks beautiful and it lasts for years to come.