How long has it been since you’ve last painted the house exterior? Once you notice signs of bubbling or peeling paint, mold, stains, and faded colors, it’s time to provide your home with a fresh coat of colorant.
Undertaking a painting project can be a demanding job, as it involves prepping the surface, purchasing supplies and tools, as well as applying multiple coats of paint. Some homeowners decide to accept the challenge, while others trust the look of their house exterior in the hands of professionals. There is a variety of Littleton CO painters offering both residential and commercial painting services.
Take a look at some handy tips shared by professionals concerning exterior house painting.
Lead paint is an important consideration when commencing an exterior painting project, particularly for homeowners dwelling in houses built before 1978. In the past, lead paint was used for painting residences, but after 1978 it was banned for lead to be used in house colorants.
In case you aren’t sure whether your home was painted with a colorant that contains lead, make sure you purchase a kit to find out. In the event of a positive test, you’re supposed to be extremely cautious when removing the paint. Make sure you use plastic drop cloths on the ground and a HEPA vacuum cleaner to vacuum the area. Remember to wear a mask in order not to inhale the harmful airborne particles.
After checking for lead paint, it’s paramount to prepare the exterior surface adequately by ensuring it’s spotless and entirely dry. It’s common for mildew to grow in moist conditions, such as under a fresh coat of paint. Therefore, the surface has to be washed with water and detergent either by using a sponge and a hose or by pressure washing. In the latter case, make sure you operate the pressure washer correctly in order to avoid wood damage.
Once the exterior dries completely, make sure you get rid of any loose paint by using a handheld scraper or a hot-air gun. Make sure you avoid using a propane or a butane torch, as this removal method is known to be extremely hazardous. Many states require homeowners to obtain a license for using an open-flame torch, given the incredible likelihood of starting a fire. Go to this page to check out some practical tips for removing old paint.
Moreover, a sander is a right tool to use in the event of rough spots or tough paint. Fit the sander with 80-grit sandpaper to go over the exterior one time, as well as use 100-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface again for better effect. In order to prevent sander marks, it’s paramount to operate the tool attentively by using enough pressure.
The ultimate step of the preparation phase is filling any wood siding cracks and holes with the help of a wood filler. Once the compound gets dry, these areas as supposed to be sanded one more time. In the event of detecting rot, you’re advised to get in touch with a carpenter to replace the rotten wooden boards with new ones.
After the preparation phase gets completed, homeowners are advised to purchase the right type of paint and high-quality tools for the project. Water-based acrylic colorants provide more convenience in terms of application, cleaning, and getting dry. Nevertheless, homeowners whose houses are painted with oil-based paint are recommended to use the same type of colorant again. Make sure the primer and the paint you purchase are of the same type.
In addition, one is supposed to make the right choice of finish, choosing between flat, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss sheen. Keep in mind that high sheens are more capable of deflecting the harmful sun rays, which cause damage to the house exterior over time. Also, make sure you calculate the exact amount of colorant in order to purchase the whole amount together. Otherwise, you’ll have a problem with matching different shades.
In terms of tools, one is strongly advised to purchase a brush of high quality in order to prevent smudging and leaving brush marks. Additionally, renting an airless sprayer is another useful solution, as long as you know to use it properly. Make sure you take a detailed look at the instructions before spraying the exterior. Visit the following link, https://www.wikihow.com/Use-an-Airless-Paint-Sprayer, to learn some handy tips about using an airless sprayer.
The painting process starts by applying a coat of primer, which can be white, tinted, or gray. When painting over latex colorant, make sure you purchase a latex primer. In contrast, an oil-based primer is an appropriate foundation for oil-based colorant.
Furthermore, the exterior has to be covered with two coats of paint, particularly when painting a house in a contrasting color. After applying the first layer, make sure you wait for it to dry properly prior to applying the second coat. Bear in mind that too many coats are likely to cause flaking only a few years after painting the exterior.
The weather is a crucial aspect of a good painting job, requiring you to follow the weather forecast in order to select the right day. A hot day isn’t the right day for painting, as the colorant dries incredibly quickly. Cold weather isn’t favorable for such a project as well since low temperatures don’t allow the colorant to adhere to the exterior.
Humid or rainy weather is the worst for house painting, as it makes the surface bubbly and prevents the paint from drying normally. Windy weather is unbeneficial due to the dust carried by the wind, which ends up on the surface. Consequently, make sure you choose a warm day with no humidity and wind to obstruct the process.
If you lack time for handling an exterior painting project, professional painters would be more than happy to perform the job for you! Check out Painters Langley as well. We wish you the best luck with your project.
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