Exterior painting is the most effective, fastest, and least expensive way to beautify, revitalize, and protect a home. A fresh layer of paint by the best exterior house painters may dramatically improve your home’s appearance. While painting a house’s exterior is a significant undertaking, professionals can get the job done in less than two weeks.
When you employ a qualified painter, you can anticipate a thorough examination of the area to be painted and the present state of your home exterior. Whether you hire a contractor or do the job yourself, you’ll want to have it done the first time perfectly, so you don’t have to do it again in a few years. Bearing all that in mind, here are the seven crucial exterior house painting guidelines to follow:
1. Make the Requisite Preparations
The paint job must be done on a clean, dry, and non-flaking or peeling surface to adhere well. Depending on the old siding and trim quality, you may need to scrape and sand before painting.
You should begin with cleaning the surfaces. You may use a pressure washer or a hose and scrub brush with a detergent solution. If you use a high-pressure washer, take care not to degrade the wood’s surface or saturate the siding joints with water with the high-pressure water jet.
A scraper is required to remove flaky, loose paint. A 5-inch random-orbit sander or disc-powered sander will work like a charm to remove challenging paint and level the surface. Begin with 60 grit sandpaper and work your way up to 100 grit.
The goal is to remove flaky paint and smooth the surface, not peel all colors. Fill crevices and holes with a putty knife and wooden filler. Take the filling cure before sanding these areas again. Clean up any debris, caulk the joints, and let the caulk dry before applying primer.
2. Don’t Cut Corners on Materials
Spend the extra money on high-quality primer, paint, and caulking compound. Paint of higher quality lasts longer and glides and overlays better than paint of cheaper quality. Purchase paint that offers a lifetime warranty against finish faults. You get what you spend with most house paints, and the best components are pricey. Exterior paint can range from $30 to $50 per gallon and even $70 per gallon. Pick acrylic paint that is 100 percent acrylic.
3. Do Not Opt for Lead Paint
Although modern exterior house paints are lead-free, paint applied before 1977 is likely to have included lead. As per the US Environmental Protection Agency, any home remodeling project containing lead paint might result in lead chips or dust, harmful to kids’ and adults’ health.
The EPA recommends contacting a local lead-safe licensed remodeling contractor for lead screening and removal, which can be obtained on the EPA’s website.
4. Apply Multiple Coats of Paint
If you’re painting over exposed wood or metal, start with a high-quality alkyd primer, which will be stated on the paint container and help keep the pigment from bleeding. To avoid the need for two finishing coats of paint, some of the best exterior house painters tint the primer to match the final paint color.
5. Wait for a Period of Temperate Weather
Don’t paint during hot weather, in the rain, or when it’s windy. Temperatures between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit are optimal for painting. Direct sunlight and hot temperatures cause the coat to dry too quickly. Pause for the shade if at all feasible. Temperatures under 45 degrees may cause the paint to not adhere correctly to the surface. Surfaces might bubble due to moisture or dew.
6. Invest in the Right Tools
Use a good brush, roller, and, in some cases, an airless sprayer, all of which can be leased at most hardware stores, or you can contact a professional painting contractor. Spraying primer and paint on rough surfaces with an airless sprayer and then back-rolling it manually with a roller is the easiest method to go to.
To avoid clogging the sprayer, start with a 5-gallon paint bucket and a paint sieve. But the best approach would be to hire a professional for a seamless and flawless paint job.
7. The Best Option is to Obtain Bids and References from a Professional
Request specific proposals from at least three of the best exterior house painters and previous clients’ identities and contact information. Call three or four of those consumers, or visit their houses to examine the job. Websites like Yelp and Google can also help you identify local professionals and read consumer ratings.
Final Words
It would be best if you took the time to find the best exterior house painters for the job. Exterior painting is a challenging yet rewarding task that can increase your home’s curb appeal and property value.
When selecting an exterior painter, always choose quality over quantity, and remember that the best paint job will last for years to come.
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