Exterior Paint Processes Using HBP
A professional paint job is a combination of preparation and experience. It is possible that you do not know all the steps required to achieve quality results with your exterior house painting services project.
Here are the steps that professionals take to be successful. As a warning, if you skip any of the steps in the process, the results may not be what you want.
- Materials and tools are available.
It’s important to have all the materials you need to complete your project. It’s not worth stopping to go to a hardware or paint store to get something you forgot.
If you want to achieve a professional paint job, it is important to have high-quality equipment.
You’ll also need:
- Primer
- Exterior paint (flat, eggshell and exterior semi-gloss).
- Pressure Washer
- Paint sprayer
- Paintbrushes, rollers and other tools
- Painter’s Tape
- Drop Cloths
- Plastic Sheets
- Ladder
- Paint scraper
- Epoxy Filler
- Sanding block with medium-grit
- Putty knife
- Exterior caulking
- Caulk gun
You should buy enough of each product to cover the area of your home. You may also need more than one scaffolding or ladder if your house is two stories high.
Remind yourself that high-quality exterior paint will reduce the amount of time you need to spend painting your home. It will also give you a better overall coverage, requiring fewer coats.
A good painting tip is buying more paint than what you think you will need, and mixing all the cans together into a 5-gallon bucket. This will ensure that your exterior paint will be uniform in color.
- Clean Surfaces & Repair Damages
Preparation is key to any big project. We have included some tips for exterior painting preparation so you can better understand the process.
Paint will not adhere well to rough or dirty surfaces. Paint will adhere and apply better on a clean, smooth surface. Work from top to bottom with a pressure cleaner to remove dirt and debris. Make sure to overlap each stroke to ensure full coverage.
You’ll need to use a putty blade to fill any holes or cracks caused by nails, gouges or cracks. Use wood putty, epoxy or other fillers. You’ll want to choose fillers that dry quickly so you can get started right away.
Sand the surface after the epoxy has dried. Sanding will smooth out the wood filler and leave a smooth finish. The primer and paint will adhere properly to the sanded, soft surface.
- Check the weather
The weather and the time of year play a major role in painting your home’s exterior. Before you begin, plan, check the weather, and choose a time of the year when it is dry.
If rain or high humidifies are forecast, it may be best to wait. You should also be aware that latex paint is not suitable for use if temperatures are below 50 degrees, unless it says so on the label.
- Protect the Surrounding Area
Protect landscaping, outdoor furniture, and other items that cannot be moved from the painting area with drop cloths or plastic sheeting. Cover windows, doors and light fixtures. Use painter’s tap to prevent paint from leaking onto the trim.
- Remove loose paint by scraping it off.
Remove any paint chips using a metal scraper or scrubbrush. For larger areas, a wire brush or pressure wash may be sufficient.
After scraping, you may have to sand these surfaces.
- Fill in cracks.
Caulk around the doors, windows, and trim. Caulking enhances the quality of the exterior paint and extends its life.
Water tends to accumulate in cracks and holes, causing the paint to peel with time. Caulk these areas to reduce the amount accumulated water. During the priming and paint steps, make sure you also paint the rest of your house and the caulk.
- Prime is available if needed.
Primer may not be necessary if you are repainting the wall with a darker or similar color. Primer is required when going from a darker shade to a lighter one. Primer can be used to cover stains that were not removed by cleaning.
The primer can be applied with a paint sprayer. However, due to its thickness, it may need to be thinned to make the application easier.
- Paint the Siding.
Some exterior painting tips will make the job easier. Paint sprayer: Fill with flat or eggshell paint. Spray from top to bottom. Overlap each stroke. Paint from top to bottom in order to control streaks. It is better to use gravity rather than against it.
You may need to apply multiple coats depending on the color. You can fix or cover brush and lap marks with a second coating.
- Paint the Trim.
Remove the painter’s and sheeting tape from windows, doors, trim and the siding once it has dried. Paint the trim in two coats with exterior semigloss.
The sheen makes the difference between flat or eggshell siding paint and semi-gloss trim. Eggshell and matte have a very small amount of sheen, while semi-gloss is reflective.
The contrast between these two colors will give your house a professional painted look.
- Clean up!
After painting the exterior surfaces, you will need to clean the area. Remove all drop cloths covering non-painted sizes or items. Remove any spills. Remove all materials and tools from the site.
Avoiding Common Problems
Lap Marks
The darker areas are caused by painting over dry paint. Work quickly and in small sections to avoid this. The previously painted area should remain wet until the new paint is applied. This will help blend the old team and the new one seamlessly.
The second coat will cover up any lap marks that may have occurred on the first coat.
Brush Marks
Brush marks are places where you can see the strokes of the brush. Start every stroke of the brush in an unfinished area, along an edge or on trim.
Stopping and lifting the brush will leave excess paint on the surface, making it uneven and showing brush marks. Professionals brush towards the finished area, then sweep the brush off the wall and up in the same motion.
Drips, runs, and sags
They can also occur inside corners or edges, where paint can accumulate and drip. You can remove drip marks that are still wet.
Let the drip marks dry if they have already begun to do so. After the drip marks have dried, sand them down and then repaint them.
Why You Should Hire an Exterior House Painter
You may wish to continue reading if you are still considering doing a DIY paint job. There are many reasons why you should hire a professional.
- Qualitative– Professional painters have been trained and are experienced in the correct preparation and techniques. To achieve the best possible results, they use the highest quality paint and suitable materials.
- Time -Painting the outside of a home is not an easy task. If you are not able to dedicate yourself fully, it will take days or even weeks. For DIYers, preparing and painting a house of medium size can take a whole summer. Professional painters work continuously to complete the project faster.
- Materials– A professional painter already has the tools necessary to complete the task and brings them with him to the site.
- Disruption– A team of professionals will finish a job much faster than an amateur. This means that your home is in a state upheaval.
- Liability– A professional painter who is licensed and bonded will be insured for any damage or injury.