Exterior House Painting Guide: How To Plan Your Project

Painting the exterior of your home is the perfect way to instantly add value, to make it more attractive and to protect it from the elements. Of course you can only achieve all of these things if you take the time to do the job well.

By following our exterior house painting guide you can avoid some of the pitfalls that can ruin the final result, and give you a worse looking finish that you started with. Let’s begin!

What Can Go Wrong When Painting Your Home?

There are all kinds of errors that novice house painters can make when they decide to take on the huge job of refreshing the paintwork. These include bubbling, lifting, peeling and cracking paintwork – even after just a few days.

This is usually the result of poor preparation and water or damp issues. You may also find that a poor knowledge of the right types of paint and the need for the right weather conditions can cause yo all kinds of problems you never expected.

Hopefully by following our guide, you won’t have to navigate them alone.

Choosing The Right Materials

A huge part of the success of your project lies in having the right tools for the job, and, in particular, the right paint. You should always choose a paint that has waterproof qualities. These days, you can choose paints that are described as being hydrophobic.

This means that they are able to resist water, and will therefore keep your home more protected than other equivalents. These paints also last around 15 years, giving you the freedom to avoid those ongoing painting jobs that can take many days out of the average summer.

But it doesn’t stop at the right paint – you are going to need a few other vital ingredients:

● A paint scraper for removing old flaky paint and some sanding paper for more detailed paint removal.
● Good quality brushes in a variety of sizes
● Paint rollers and trays. These should be designed for the surface they will be used on.
● A painter sprayer. This can be a huge time saver, but should only be used if you are confident with it.
● Plenty of film, tape, ground sheets and paper for protecting the rest of your home and capturing paint flakes before they contaminate the ground or the water supply.
● A jet washer to speed up the job of cleaning your home before painting.
● Scaffolding to keep you safe or a good quality ladder and someone to hold it for you. Also consider harness equipment if you are working at height.

Some of these can be easily bought, or you can simply hire them for a few days. Always go for the best quality you can afford. It really will show in the final product.

Protect all surfaces that do not need to be painted, such as: windows, air vents and downpipes. The aim is to be able to paint without having to worry that surfaces will need cleaning afterwards.  Perfect!

Preparing Walls For Painting: 7 Step Process

If there was one part of this guide that we wish we could print out and give to everyone, it would be this section on preparation.

The right preparation of your exterior walls really is the difference between the success and failure of your painting project. Follow these 7 steps for the best results:

● Give your walls a thorough jet wash, steadily working from the top of the building to the bottom. You should be trying to remove as much of the old paint as possible, while removing all traces of dirt.
● Use a paint scraper to remove any lasting traces of paint, and then sand down any areas that are rough or uneven. While you are doing this, you will be able to inspect for any damage.
● Fix any cracks, holes, rotten wood or crumbling masonry before going any further. This really is essential as these long term issues cannot be painted over as they will undermine the entire job. You can use wood filler or repaint the brickwork where necessary.
● Remove any wall furniture, such as pipes and light fittings.
● Protect all surfaces that do not need to be painted, such as: windows, air vents and downpipes. The aim is to be able to paint without having to worry that surfaces will need cleaning afterwards.
● Ensure the walls are bone dry. This is essential. Any moisture will ruin the finish and you will have to start fresh.
● Now you are ready to paint.

If using a roller, do not be too generous with the paint. It will drip, which can leave streaks and marks, and it may not dry evenly. All paints have a drying time that is optimum, and this is based on the best coverage. If your paint calls for two coats, don’t try to apply it thicker to save yourself time. It will dry unevenly, and you may find it peels or bubbles

How To Apply Exterior Paint: 6 Top Tips

The method you use to apply paint will depend on the application choice you have made and the area you are painting.

● Work from the top of the building.
● Do the cutting in first, and use a brush to paint those areas that cannot be easily accessed by a roller.
● If painting masonry, you may decide that using a brush for the entire wall is easier than a roller, which may not distribute the paint evenly enough. A large paint brush can make this job less difficult.
● If using a roller, do not be too generous with the paint. It will drip, which can leave streaks and marks, and it may not dry evenly. All paints have a drying time that is optimum, and this is based on the best coverage. If your paint calls for two coats, don’t try to apply it thicker to save yourself time. It will dry unevenly, and you may find it peels or bubbles.
● If using a spray gun, ensure you make even and light coats. It may be better to do three coats rather than two to get the smooth finish you want. Practise on a piece of board first to get the hang of the equipment if you are new to it.
● When doing trim such as window frames and sills, use short strokes, and try to avoid brush marks. Always paint in one direction.

Don’t forget that buying the best quality paint you can is the best advice any painter can be given. Hydrophobic paints will give the finish you want, combined with the longevity you need!

Achieving An Enviable Finish: 6 Primary Pointers

There are some basic tips that will enable you to achieve the very best finish on your exterior paint job. Most are known by professionals, but if you know them before you begin, you can avoid some of the common errors that most D.I.Y painters make:

● Never, ever paint a damp wall – even if it is mostly dry. Use a blower or heater to dry it completely.
● Try to avoid painting soon after rain as the air may still be humid; this can directly affect how paint dries.
● Always check the weather forecast for the next 48 hours, and do not paint if there is a chance of rain. Your paint could bubble if it is hit by rain before it has dried.
● Do not paint on a very hot and sunny day. Once again, the paint will dry too quickly, and could bubble or crack.
● Do not paint first thing in the morning when it could be misty, or if there is dew in the air. Moisture is bad for paint.
● To ensure an evenness of colour for your paint, tip smaller paint tins into one larger one, and mix them together. That way, variations in colour won’t be seen.

Don’t forget that buying the best quality paint you can is the best advice any painter can be given. Hydrophobic paints will give the finish you want, combined with the longevity you need.

We really couldn’t recommend anything better than a paint that self cleans and lasts for 15 years – plus it protects your home. What’s not to like? Prime your property for perfection today, by calling 0800 1700 636, or, alternatively, by simply clicking the button below!