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Professional painting preparing home exterior for initial coat

How To Prep A House For Exterior Painting

Is the exterior of your home looking tired, outdated, or faded from the sun? It may be time to undertake a home improvement project and refresh your home’s exterior paint. A new coat can increase your home’s curb appeal with ease.

In this blog post, we’ll tell you how to prep your house for exterior painting and what it takes to create a good paint job.

What You'll Need

1. Plan your exterior paint job

Like any other project, the first step is to plan out the entirety of your project. You will need to determine what surfaces of your house will be painted, what paint color you will use, and what type of paint you will use.

Our professional painters prefer latex based paints for our work. Latex based paint has a strong and durable finish, so you can trust that minimal repairs will be needed in the future.

2. Clean your home's exterior

Next, you’ll need to prepare the exterior walls or siding of your home. Dirt, dust, and mildew can build up on the surface of your siding. A clean surface will be the best canvas for your fresh coat of paint.

We recommend that you use a power washer, pump sprayer, or garden hose to wash your plastic or wood siding. Combine the pressure wash with a detergent for optimal results. A scrub brush can eliminate any persistent dirt or grime.

Tip: Do not aim your pressure washer’s nozzle at windows. The pressure behind the water may break windows.

Professional painter using broom to prepare siding for exterior painting

3. Scrape away any loose paint

After preparing the area, you’ll need to remove any old, cracked, or flaking paint. If you paint over old paint, the coat will likely look uneven and textured after it dries. It’s best to scrape paint off using a wire brush or scraping tool prior to painting.
Cleaning window shutters to prepare for exterior painting

4. Repair any damages

While removing paint, you may notice some shallow holes on the wall or the edges of your lap siding. These holes or cracks should be repaired immediately to create a good surface for your fresh paint job. Use a surface repair compound to fill in any crevices or holes, then spot sand it smooth.

If any old putty around your windows or doors has seen better days, remove and repair it as well. Use caulk or putty around the trim to protect your home from the elements.

5. Prep the surrounding area

Once you’ve finished sanding, it is time to prepare the area for painting. Place tarps or cloths over any nearby plants to protect them from paint and primer.

6. Prime

Primer is crucial to establishing a good base for your paint. That’s why we recommend that all do-it-yourselfers take the time to apply oil-based primer when painting on bare or new wood. It helps ensure that the top coats are hardy and vibrant.

7. Paint

After all of that hard work, it is time to start painting! It is best to avoid painting on days that it may rain or days with high humidity. A mild, sunny day is best for this type of work.

You should first start painting the siding, then move on to the wood trim. Thin coats are fast-drying in direct sun and have more chances of being even. You should also use a ladder or scaffold when painting higher areas. A ladder will allow you to see the lap marks and create an even paint surface.

Professional painter coating roller with blue paint

Call Our Team for a Free, No-Obligation Price Quote

Serving homeowners with excellence is our privilege. Our team of house painters are excited to help you rediscover the power of color and professional paint in transforming your home’s appearance! We’ll work around your schedule and ensure that you stay informed.

For more information or to receive your free estimate call ProServ Painters at (804) 214-7811 today!

Schedule a Free Estimate