by Padre Art

Created on: December 20, 2008   Last Updated: December 24, 2008

A coat of exterior paint applied to your house not only protects the house and increases the property value, it can make an astonishing difference to the general appearance. With attention to a few important details most people can achieve outstanding results without professional help.

There are three basic steps to achieving a successful exterior paint job. The choice of paint, surface preparation and application of the paint.

The exterior paint most used is a water based latex paint. Fast drying, these paints are also easy to use and clean up with soap and water. Because it tends to breath the latex is excellent for exterior painting, allowing moisture to evaporate and lasting longer in areas with a freeze and thaw cycle. Oil based or alkyd exterior paints are much slower drying and mineral spirits must be used to clean up. Color is an important consideration for exterior paints as dark colors fade in sunlight and need more maintenance due to heat absorption.

The second, probably most important, step is preparing the surface. Since exterior paint is subject to weathering it must adhere firmly. It will not glue a loose or flaky previous coat down and will not stick to a surface that is wet, dirty or greasy. Scrape off the loose paint and sand any rough areas. A filter mask is a good idea for this stage of the work. Using a pressure washer will clear the surface of any loose debris. Since exterior paint will peel off a moist surface make sure the washed area is completely dry, at least twenty four hours, and then you are ready for the actual application of your new exterior paint job.

When scheduling for exterior painting the weather becomes an important factor. Rain and fog are not the only things to avoid when applying paint, heat can damage a freshly painted surface as well. Apply the exterior paint in temperatures between 50 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also best to paint the west and south sides in the morning and the east side in the afternoon to allow some drying time before the direct sun shines on your new paint.

Cover the windows and do not forget drop clothes to cover and protect the plants and shrubs.

Always paint from the top down. Paint the gables first then the main siding followed by windows and other trim, finishing up with the doors. Using a four inch brush, paint the siding from the trim out, allowing the painted edge to feather out about three or four inches from the trim. Then paint the under edge of the siding before continuing on to the bulk of the wall. A two inch angled brush is great for applying exterior paint to the trim around windows, doors and elsewhere. These rules apply when using a sprayer as well, just remember to back roll the freshly sprayed surface and be aware of overspray.

Follow these simple steps and you will have a new exterior paint job that will beautify your house for many years.

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