by Greg Winkler

Created on: December 20, 2008   Last Updated: November 16, 2011

Exterior painting of your home is one of the most inexpensive and quickest means of improving its appearance. This quick facelift can enhance the value to potential buyers by improving the aesthetic street appeal. The key to quality exterior painting is to follow the three simple rules of painting: Proper Preparation; Quality exterior paint; and Patient Procedures.

Proper Preparation

A quality exterior paint job begins with properly preparing the surfaces to be painted. Since the exterior of a home often involves large areas to be painted, begin by power-washing the siding and trim to remove accumulated dirt, mildew, or deteriorated paint residue. Follow up by scraping or sanding areas where the paint is chipped, cracked, or scaling. Use a power sander or sanding block to achieve a smooth finish. Use exterior grade wood putty to patch holes or gouges in wood siding. Replace sections of deteriorated siding with new. If caulk (exterior sealant) is loose, remove the entire section and re-caulk with paintable caulk. For safety, always wear goggles and a breathing mask during sanding.

Masking

After basic repair of the surfaces to be painted, the next step is masking. Masking is time-consuming and tedious, but saves enormous time during exterior painting by allowing for faster work through avoiding the worry of accidentally painting adjacent surfaces that would be difficult to clean, such as roofing, gutters, and vinyl siding. Use painter's tape or masking tape in combination with plastic sheeting to protect areas that do not require painting. Use plastic sheeting to protect landscaping, decking, and other adjacent items from drips and overspray.

Quality Exterior Paint

The labor involved in exterior painting is a significant investment. Reward that time investment by purchasing the best quality exterior paint available. Consumer Reports magazine annually ranks exterior paint products, and conducts long-term testing to back up their rankings. Choose primer and paint products that are highly rated for long-term service and durability. Do not be lured into selecting paint quality by color. Practically any color can be achieved in any paint line. Choose exterior paint for its quality and reap the rewards of several years of additional service.

Exterior Paint Color Selection

Do your research in selecting exterior paint colors. Especially for historic homes, paint colors can enhance the aesthetic appeal (and the market appeal as well) through a careful combination of colors

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