Painting the Exterior of a House

A fresh coat of paint on the exterior walls is the easiest and cheapest way to add a new look to your existing home. Besides giving your home a makeover, the thin layer of resin and pigment protects your investment against weathering effects of wind, rain, sun etc. A cracked and peeled layer of paint is not only unsightly but also leads to long-term structural damage. When you see your existing paint peeling and fading, it is time to apply a new coat to your exterior. If applied properly, a good quality paint should last for 12 to 15 years. Keep reading for guidelines to follow when painting the exterior of your home to get a lasting first-class finish.

Scrub the old paint

Start the project by thoroughly scrubbing the walls to remove dirt and peeled off paint residue, otherwise the fresh coats will not adhere properly. While professionals use pressure washers to remove peeled, bubbled or blistered paint, you can use a hosepipe and a scrub brush.

Scrape the remaining paint

With loose paint removed, get rid of the remaining paint by scraping it off. However, make sure that the old coat of paint does not contain any lead. If your paint contains lead content, take special precautions to protect yourself and people around you. It is recommended to use a “Paint Shaver” to capture the health hazardous lead dust. However, if the paint is lead free, simply wear a dust mask and start scraping the old layers. To speed up the process, use a heat gun above the stripping tool to soften the paint and easily remove it.

Sand the surface

After washing and scrapping comes the sanding phase. If most of the old paint is still on the walls and is not too bumpy, use a 50 or 80-grit sandpaper to smooth the boundary between the remains of paint and the surface. You can also use small pad sanders to speed up the sanding process.

Patch and fill

Once the sanding process is complete, fill the small cracks and repair any rot by caulking them. However, before caulking the cracks, it is important to thoroughly prime the surface, because it will protect the wood, in case the caulk fails. Moreover, the primers penetrate into the wood, providing a good surface for the top coats to adhere to. Also spray a metal primer over the nail heads to keep rust from bleeding through top coat. Allow the primer to dry completely before caulking all small joints.

Paint

Now your surface is ready to be painted with a fresh coat. Decide which paint you want to use and apply it either with a brush or using a paint sprayer. Remember, two top coats are always better than one, but allow the first coat to dry completely before applying the second coat.