Exterior Painting: How To Prep Your House For New Paint

by | May 12, 2022 | Exterior Painting, Painting

Painted House Siding - How to prep for painting

Is your home’s exterior paint chipping or peeling? Does the old exterior paint seem to be decreasing the curb appeal of your home? Maybe you’re just craving a change. Whatever the reason, if you’re looking to get a fresh new layer of paint on the exterior of your home, we have some tips for you to make sure you get the job done right with enough preparation so that the new paint color you choose turns out as bright and beautiful as you imagined. Here is how to prep for painting your home:

Home Exterior Painting Prep:

  • It is ideal to complete any and all of your home’s necessary exterior repairs before you start the painting project
  • Pressure wash the exterior of your home to get rid of any dirt that you won’t want sitting behind the fresh new layer of paint (this can also remove old, chipping/peeling, or bubbling paint)
  • Scrape or sand away the remaining old paint on the house
  • Re-caulk around door frames and windows
  • Check the weather for the day(s) you plan on painting (you won’t want to paint on rainy days or days with excessive winds)
  • Layout a mat to protect your yard and supplies/tools from paint
  • Exercise ladder safety with the most amount of caution to prevent potential injuries
  • Prime the wood where the paint was scraped off and where repairs were made (this will help the paint stick and look uniform)
  • When picking the paint color you’d like to use, it is usually best to choose earthy colors that will not go out of style, but also pick a color that makes you the happiest every time you look at your home

Other Important Painting Details:

  • Keep in mind that latex paints can resist color loss from direct sun, they allow moisture to escape before damage occurs, and they are also flexible enough to help prevent cracking in climates that experience frequent freeze-thaw cycles
  • Use painter’s tape to ensure you’ll get clean edges when you begin painting with the color you chose
  • Try not to paint in direct sunlight (this can leave brush marks behind)
  • Paint the siding of your house first (horizontally), and then the windowsills and trim, and foundation last
  • You can use brushes, rollers, or sprayers (sprayers are usually the most efficient option)
  • Be sure to follow all of the instructions on the paint, supplies, and tools that you use to complete your painting project
  • Clean up your painting area and remove any leftover painter’s tape
  • The paint should dry in just a few hours (typically 4-8 hours), but keep in mind that it can take up to a month (especially for latex paints) for it to fully cure (this is another reason why it can be so important to check the weather not only when you plan on painting the house, but for the next 30 days as well while the paint cures)

Call Us Today!

If you have any further questions, or if you think you might need some assistance from the professionals to get your house painted the way you want it, please feel free to contact us for a free estimate!