There are few things that can completely transform the outside of your home quite like a fresh, new coat of paint. This single improvement can increase the curb appeal and overall value of your home. If you are thinking about selling your home, it can attract potential buyers more than if you were to leave an old, cracked and worn paint job on your home. Jeff the Painter is here to share what makes an exterior painting project a successful one.
Preparing Exterior Wood Trim & Other Areas for Painting
One of the toughest parts of painting, especially on the outside of your home, is the prep work that needs to be done before you can get started. Prepping the wood is vital in getting the most out of your paint. Old, chipping paint should be removed and sanded so that the surface is smooth before putting down a fresh coat. If there is wood that has been exposed to weather, you need to make sure you are putting primer on it before you are putting on the paint you have chosen. If you fail to prime these exposed areas, you will find that your paint can start to chip within a year or two of application. Really, your entire house can greatly benefit from a coat of primer.
Make Sure the Surface is Completely Dry Before Applying Paint
There shouldn’t be any sign of moisture on the surface of your home when you start painting. Painting wet wood can lead to blistering and peeling prematurely. You need to check the seams and corners of your home especially close as these are areas that usually have moisture problems. If there are any cracks, or splits in your siding, you need to fill them using a paintable, siliconized acrylic caulking.
Paint Spread Rate Calculator
It can be tempting to rush through your painting and try to stretch the paint as far as you can. You need to make sure you are applying the paint correctly using the right amount of paint so that you don’t experience premature peeling and cracking.
Best Temperature & Weather to Paint Outside
Unfortunately, you have to rely on the weather forecast when you are painting the outside of your home. The temperature has to be optimal or you won’t get the right finish you are looking for. If you paint in extremely hot weather, the paint will dry too quickly and you will likely get more drips and blistering. When the weather is too cold, your paint doesn’t adhere to the surface like it should. The best temperature for exterior painting with latex falls between 50-70 degrees F and 45-90 degrees F when applying oil-based paint.
Exterior House Painting, Pressure Washing & More in San Marcos, Vista, Oceanside, Encinitas, Carlsbad & Escondido, California
Painting the outside of your home is an enormous task. One that many people find too large for them to handle on their own. If you are overwhelmed by the task, call on the professionals at Jeff the Painter to give you the results you are after. Call us today!
