7 Tips to Prepare Your House For Exterior Painting

Who doesn’t love a perfectly painted house that is the source of envy among neighbours and friends? But what most people don't understand is that painting a house is not as easy as it looks!
It is vital to understand that painting the exterior of your house is a significant investment. Besides offering safety from the external elements, it also has the potential to elevate the house's aesthetic appeal. However, getting that durable and eye-pleasing look requires more than just painting.
Hint: Preparation is key!
Proper preparation before painting is crucial to ensure the paint adheres to the surface and lasts for a long time. The preparation process involves cleaning, sanding, repairing (if needed), and priming the surface for exterior painting.
Neglecting this crucial stage can lead to premature peeling, cracking, and other unexpected problems. As one of the most professional painters in Byron Bay, Purrfect Painting offers exceptional surface preparation and painting services.In this blog, we will discuss how you can prepare the house for painting the exterior, so let us dive in.

How to Prepare Your House for Exterior Painting

You cannot just start painting the exterior surface of your house right away. A strategic preparation is needed to ensure the painting looks perfect and lasts long.

1.Check the weather

The first thing that you need to do is check the weather forecast before moving ahead with exterior painting. The general rule to ensure the paint adheres to the exterior surface of the house is to ensure there are three good dry weeks. Bouts of rain have the potential to ruin the painting job. While unexpected rainfall can occur at any time, it is recommended that you choose a relatively dry season for the painting job. Besides, take the time to gather everything you need for flawless painting, including ladders, paints, brushes, primers, and more.

2.Protect surrounding areas

Painting is not a highly precise job. That means, despite best efforts, some paint can flicker here and there, leaving stains. To counteract this issue, it's a good idea to cover anything you don't want to be stained. You can use plastic sheets or drop clothes to cover windows, doors, etc. Using painter’s tape to keep the sheet in place is a great idea.

3.Clean the exterior surface.

One of the most crucial surface preparation steps before painting is cleaning the surface. Wash the entire exterior area to get rid of dust, dirt, grime, etc. If not washed properly, the buildup of dust and dirt can interfere with the paint's adhering to the surface, leading to an uneven finish.
The best way to clean the exterior surface is to use a pressure washer. However, if that is unavailable, you can use a hose and brush to scrub off the grime buildup. This will also eliminate mould, mildew, loose paint, etc.

4.Repair damaged surfaces

After the cleaning is completed, damaged surfaces need to be repaired. This is, however, an optional tip for those who don't have any damage to the exterior of the house. Inspect the exterior for any damage, such as cracks, holes, or rotting wood. Identification of the damaged areas is necessary before the painting starts. Use appropriate materials to fix the issues. Wood filler, caulk, or epoxy can be used to repair these areas. Repairing the exterior prevents future damage, leading to a flawless exterior painting.

5.Scrape off loose paint

Witnessing an uneven finish after the painting is done is awful. To ensure that doesn’t happen, you need to look for loose paint and remove it actively. Use a paint scraper or wire brush to remove the peeling paint. The alternative option is to use your hand and meticulously remove loose paint with precision.
Sand the edges of the scraped areas. This will create a smooth transition between bare wood and existing paint. Also, remember to wear dust masks, gloves, and eye protection equipment before you start scraping off the paint.

6.Sand the surface

Sanding rough or glossy areas is important to create a smooth surface for the new paint to adhere to. For effective results, you can opt for a medium-grit sandpaper. If you are wondering about skipping sanding the surface, don’t!Sanding helps create a better bond between the primer and paint. Now, inspect windows and doors to close gaps or cracks with exterior caulk. Leaving the gaps can lead to water seeping in and damaging the paint.

7.Apply primer

Lastly, you need to prime the exterior surface before proceeding with the painting. The primer ensures even application, blocks stains, enhances the paint's adhesion to the surface, and more. If you have existing stains, opting for a stain-blocking primer is important. The primer penetrates the areas and seals them to bond the paint to the surface. Applying a high-quality primer is essential. You don’t want the painting to peel off anytime soon. Allow the primer to dry completely before applying the topcoat. Keep in mind that you need to let the first coat dry before applying the second one.

No more worries about surface prep with Purrfect Painting

Preparing the House For Painting the Exterior is critical for a successful and durable finish. Knowing how to clean, sand, prime, etc., is important for that. With more than 12 years of experience, Purrfect Painting offers premium-grade painting services to meet customer expectations. Our crew of insured and licensed painters use high-quality paints and prioritise effective preparation for a beautiful, long-lasting finish. Give your exteriors a unique touch today! Call us or fill out the form to get a free quote or learn more.