Time and money are the things we need more of, right? That's why prepping your surface for exterior painting is crucial. If we don't do it right from start to finish, your exterior paint wont last as long as it should, which means you'll have to spend more time and money on painting than you need.
Why Should You Prepare an Exterior Surface for Painting?
Most jobs done well require some sort of preparation and planning, and painting is no different. Scraping peeling paint off the exterior surface of your house allows the fresh paint to adhere smoothly. This helps avoid moisture buildup, which leads to rot. Exterior painting is about a lot more than pretty colors, it actually is the first line of defense against UV rays and weather damage.
The steps below are vital to any exterior painting job, whether you're doing it yourself or hiring a professional. Even if you hire a professional painter, it's still great to know the basic steps in a painting project so you'll know whether they're doing quality work or if they're skipping important steps.
Steps to Prepping an Exterior Surface for Painting
- Check for lead if your home was built before 1979. If there is lead paint on your house, you will need to contact a lead removal professional to deal with the old paint safely.
- Make sure you have the right ladders and/or scaffold and always use them safely.
- Gather drop cloths, masking for windows, and tape. Painting is always messier than expected. Cover everything you don't want to paint, including gutters, windows, and shrubbery.
- Make sure you have the correct tools for the job, including scraping tools, sanders, brushes, paint trays, pressure washer, and caulk guns.
- Sand, scrape, and pressure wash the exterior surface to remove debris, mildew, and chipping paint before beginning
- Caulk any areas that need it, so that water cannot enter through cracks that paint won't be able to cover.
- Do a final test swatch to ensure you picked the perfect color
- Check the weather and choose a day to start painting!
How to Choose the Right Painting Contractor
Some painters might cut corners, but we'll never skip a step in your painting project. We only offer the highest quality work, which includes all of the necessary preparation for exterior painting jobs, so that you don't have to give it a second thought for many years to come.