If tackling a DIY touch-up for your home’s exterior is at the top of your to-do list this summer, look no further than this expert guide. Our team of trusted craftsmen are experts on both interior and exterior painting, and have offered to share some of their tips with you here.
Step 1: Make a Plan
Whether it’s nailing down a schedule or assessing just how much of a facelift your property needs, nothing can really move forward until you’ve wrapped your head around the scope of the project you’re about to start.
Ideally, you’ll start your project while the weather is relatively mild and dry. We generally suggest the early summer for DIY exterior projects when the spring rains have died down, but the muggy dog days of late summer haven’t quite hit yet.
After you have a look at the forecast and clear up a Saturday or two, the next step in planning out your project is to assess the state of your exterior’s paint as is. If your home was built pre-1980, it might be worth looking into a lead paint test to make sure that you don’t need to contact a more specialized EPA-certified lead paint expert.
Step 2: Power Wash
The importance of properly prepping the surfaces you’re planning to paint can’t be overstated. If you skip this step or don’t do it correctly, you’ll end up with a patchy paint job that won’t last very long.
Make sure that the walls, trim, and any other surface you’re looking to freshen up has been washed thoroughly. Things like light fixtures and window sills are often overlooked, but shouldn’t be – after all, you want the details to look just as sharp as the rest of your exterior. Once you’ve done this, make sure to cover any surfaces that you don’t want to get any paint on.
Now comes the fun part. Find a power washer that has a fan-type nozzle that can wash away persistent dirt and grime that has built up on your exterior. After you’ve got everything sparkling again, make sure you let things dry completely before rolling your sleeves up and starting to paint.
Step 3: Quick Repairs
Oftentimes, the cleaning process before an exterior job clues us in to other small issues that need to be addressed before the first coat is applied. Peeling paint and wood rot are some of the more common issues.
Step 4: Prime & Paint
It’s finally time to get to the meat and potatoes of the project: priming and painting. Make sure that the primers and paints you purchase for your project are specifically designed for use outdoors. These products are generally more compatible with materials used commonly on the exteriors of homes and can seal the surface completely, locking in a base coat that will be both uniform and vibrant.
When it comes to your choice of color, we recommend putting swatches of different shades on various parts of your exterior to help visualize what a final product might look like. This is about so much more than picking a favorite color, it’s about finding out what works with your home’s surroundings, your landscaping, and the general vibe of your neighborhood. You want to make sure you (and your HOA) can live with it for the foreseeable future.
If you have any questions about the process before diving in yourself, now is the time to ask! Don’t hesitate to reach out – our team is here to help you in any capacity that we can, even if you’re looking to tackle this project solo.
