Make sure you prepare your home for an exterior paint job that lasts
We’d all love a pristine painted house that belongs on the cover of a home design magazine. However, getting that level of curb appeal isn’t as easy as spraying and brushing on the right paint colors and calling it a day. Luckily, there are practical steps you can take to prepare your home for a flawless exterior paint project that will make you proud.
If you plan to tackle your painting project on the weekends, know that getting the best exterior paint job requires three weekends of good weather. Give yourself a buffer if unpredicted rain or humidity sneaks in. To be on the safe side, carve out a month during the dry season for your project when temperatures fall between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you paint during inclement weather, it can cause your uncured paint coat to blister. You’ll also need a ladder with good support or a scaffold if your home has more than one story.
Remove items near the house, such as patio furniture, grills, and trash bins, and place them away from the wall of your home. Tape and cover outlet boxes and fixtures with drop cloths and painter’s tape.
Trim trees and shrubs and cover landscaping with a drop cloth. (You don’t want paint on your blooming geraniums!)
Washing the entire exterior of your home allows the paint to adhere to the surface. Use a pressure washer with a cleaning solution or a hose and scrub brush if you don’t have much peeling and flaking paint.
For homes with mildew, use one part of chlorine bleach to three parts water or a mildewcide. Work in sections and rinse the surface well.
If your home has softwood shingles or siding, handwash it with detergent and water.
The dust in lead-based paint can harm your family, pets, and neighbors. If your home was built before 1978, when the EPA banned lead paint for residences, your paint might contain lead.
You can buy a lead testing kit online for around $25 or take paint chip samples to a testing lab. If your paint tests positive for lead, you’ll need to take these precautions:
Wear an N100 or professional-grade respirator with HEPA cartridges and a microporous protective suit
Use a HEPA vacuum
Lay down plastic drop cloths to gather the scrapings
Dampen the paint with a spray bottle to minimize toxic dust
Remove loose paint with a paint scraper or wire brush
Dispose of hazardous materials in sealed trash bags
If your paint is lead-free, a mask will do. Use a heating gun to soften the paint and save time. To prevent siding damage, scrape in the direction of the wood grain.
Sanding is essential to create a mechanical bond between paint coats. When the paint isn’t lumpy and bumpy, smooth the surface with 80-grit sandpaper.
Speed up the process with a pad or orbit sander. To remove scratches, sand with 100 to 120-grit paper. Use medium-grit sandpaper for weathered wood and fine-grit paper for trim and doors.
When sanding is complete, replace any siding or trim you can’t salvage. Use epoxy to repair rotting wood or replace the wood. Fill gaps around doors, windows, and trim with exterior caulk in a caulk gun. You may want to prime first since primer safeguards wood.
Prime any stains or exposed areas with a stain-blocking primer using a paintbrush. Primer will penetrate and seal the area so the paint bonds to the surface.
If you’re changing the paint color more than a few shades, apply a coat of primer to the home to ensure even coverage. Spray the heads of screws and nails with metal primer to prevent rust from bleeding through the paint.
It’s finally time to make your home shine. Before you paint, cover your mailbox, lighting fixtures, doors, and trim with plastic sheeting using painter’s tape. Pour your preferred color of eggshell latex or flat paint into your sprayer. Working from top to bottom, apply one or two coats as needed to the entire home.
Using a backrolling technique with two painters will cut your time in half. One person sprays the house while another follows with a roller smoothing out the sprayed paint.
Remove the plastic sheeting covering your trim when it’s ready to be painted. Choose an accent trim color in a semi-gloss sheen for a chic look.
DIYers handy with a brush, sprayer, and tools may wish to try their hand at painting the house exterior themselves rather than hiring a pro. The average cost to paint the exterior yourself will total around $750, depending on the paint and supplies you’ll need.
You’ll spend between $20 and $80 for each gallon of paint without a painting contractor discount. Materials (you can find at the top of the post) will cost between $200 to $300.
On the flip side, hiring a contractor for an exterior paint job costs $1,735 to $4,335. Expect to pay $1 more per foot if your home is made of brick and stucco or vinyl.
Hiring a local exterior painting professional is a smart idea for multi-storied homes that require scaffolding and additional safety equipment. Working with a pro also offers peace of mind because they are licensed, bonded, and often guarantee their work.
Stacy Sare Cohen contributed to this article.
The best time to paint a house's exterior depends on your region's climate and weather conditions. Generally, the ideal time is during the spring or fall when temperatures are moderate and there's less humidity. These seasons provide the right conditions for the paint to dry correctly and adhere well.
Avoid painting during extreme heat or cold, as it can affect the quality of the finish. Be mindful of local weather patterns and consider factors like rain and wind, as they can disrupt the painting process. Ultimately, consulting with a local expert can help determine the optimal time for your location.
Yes, many professionals recommend pressure washing your house before painting. It helps remove dirt, debris, mildew, and old paint, ensuring a clean surface for the new paint to adhere to. A clean surface also promotes better paint adhesion and a smoother finish.
However, be cautious not to use excessive pressure that may damage the siding or wood. Additionally, allow sufficient drying time after pressure washing before applying paint to prevent trapping moisture beneath the new paint, which can lead to peeling or blistering. Proper surface preparation, including pressure washing, is essential for a successful, long-lasting exterior paint job.
It depends. You can paint over old exterior paint, but preparing the surface for the best results is essential. Begin by cleaning and priming the existing paint to ensure a smooth, uniform finish. If the old paint is in good condition with no peeling, blistering, or significant damage, you can apply a fresh coat of paint directly after cleaning and priming. However, if the old paint is in poor condition, it's best to scrape, sand, or remove it before painting. Remember, adequate preparation ensures the new paint adheres well and provides a durable, attractive finish.
