Introduction

There are few features in your home that have the ability to make as big a visual impact as the paint job on your home. Exterior painting can completely transform your home.  It is a great way to give your home a fresh and new look. You can add a touch of your personality and personal preferences through your selection of color. Below we discuss tips for painting exterior walls in order to achieve the right type of visual impact and maintain your results for longer.

Exterior Color

It is not only important to choose the right color of paint for your home but also the right quality. A good choice for exterior house painting should be 100 percent acrylic latex and should be long-lasting. This will ensure that you can enjoy the color and results for longer. Choose a color that meets your preferences and that complements the rest of your property. For example, choose a color that compliments the color of your roof.

Materials Needed:

There are several materials required for painting the outside of a house. These include:

• Paintbrushes
• Paint scrapers
• Exterior semi-gloss paint
• Exterior flat paint
• Spackle knife
• Caulk gun
• Exterior caulk
• Epoxy filler
• Painter’s tape
• Plastic sheeting
• Drop cloths
• Pressure washer
• Ladder
• Stain-blocking primer
• Spackle knife
• Medium-grit sanding block

How to Paint a House

• Step 1: Pressure-Wash Walls

Pressure washing is the best way to remove dirt and dust that has built up on the walls of your house. Work from top to bottom in a smooth controlled manner. Overlap each stroke by at least 8 inches to ensure you don’t miss a spot.

• Step 2: Repair Any Damaged Surfaces

Be sure to repair any damaged surfaces before painting for the best results. Take note of any areas that need repairs such as cracks or holes and have them filled with epoxy filler or other means.

• Step 3: Get Rid of Loose Paint

Painting over loose paint will result in chipping after some time. Be sure to get rid of loose paint by using a paint scraper. You can also use a medium-grit sanding block to remove loose or chipped paint.

• Step 4: Fill Gaps with Caulk

Use caulk to fill any gaps between the house and trim. Check around windows and doors and use your caulking gun to fill any gaps. If the exterior of your house features different materials, you should pay attention to filling gaps where these materials meet.

• Step 5: Pay attention to Stains

Use a stain-blocking primer to cover stains. You can also use the primer for visible wood knots. Apply the primer to the area using a paintbrush.

• Step 6: Protect lighting fixtures, doors, and windows

Use painter’s tape and plastic sheeting to cover windows, lighting fixtures, and doors and protect them from paint.

• Step 7: Paint Exterior

Now comes the fun part. Begin by applying the load flat on the wall using a sprayer. The number of coats you apply will depend on the hue of the paint. Always work from top to bottom. Overlap each stroke by at least 8 inches for an even finish. You will not need to apply primer if you are applying the same color of the paint as the existing color.

• Step 8: Paint Trim and Doors

When done with painting the walls, remove the plastic sheeting from the lighting fixtures, doors, and windows. Apply exterior semi-gloss paint to the doors and trim using a paintbrush.

We Can Help You

Exterior painting is an involving job that requires a great deal of skill to get right. We can help you achieve the best results with little effort. Contact 365 Painting Solutions to learn more about our exterior painting services and how we can help.