Nothing will transform the look of your home like a fresh coat of paint. When you decide to change the color you will find the transformation will be that much more dramatic. Before you start painting the outside of your home, there are certain steps that should be taken to ensure the job is done correctly. When you don’t take the time to do the prep work, you could be facing mistakes that are costly and time consuming to fix. McKay’s Painting is here to share some tips to help make your exterior paint look the best it can.
Do You Have to Wash & Clean the Walls of an Exterior House Before Painting?
Before you can do anything, your home needs to be cleaned. You would be surprised at the thick layer of dust and dirt that is on the outside of your home. You don’t need to worry about using anything other than water unless you are dealing with a mold problem or other stubborn stains. Renting a pressure washer is the most efficient way to get your home cleaned as long as you don’t use too much pressure and end up damaging your home. Once the cleaning is done, you need to wait at least 24 hours before painting to ensure it is dried completely.
Scrape Away Old Peeling Paint from Walls & Trim
Once your house has dried completely, you can start removing old paint. This may sound hard, but all you need is a paint scraper and some elbow grease to get rid of any flaking paint. IF you don’t get rid of this flaking paint before you stop, the new paint will not go on smooth and adhere to your home as well.
Before Painting, Repair Rotting Wood & Fill Cracks
If there are any areas of your home that are rotting, they will need to be fixed before proceeding. You should also caulk cracks that shouldn’t be there. Keep in mind, that some cracks around the edge of soffit and gutters should be there for venting purposes.
Trim Landscaping Before Painting Exterior
If you have any trees or bushes that are close to your home, you will want to get those trimmed before you start painting. This will simply make the process much easier for you. Not only will it keep the plants out of your way, but it will keep the plants from touching wet paint once its applied.
Apply Paint Primer
If there are any bare or exposed areas on your home, they need to be covered with primer before you begin painting. Make sure you are using and exterior grade primer as well. It is important that you use the right kind of paint when painting the outside of your home.
Professional Painting Services & More in Ventura, Ojai, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills & Santa Barbara California
Once you have followed all the steps listed above, you should be ready to tackle the project. Painting the exterior of your home is a big job. Many people don’t have the time, patience, tools or experience to do this on their own. McKay’s Painting offers superior exterior painting services that will leave your home looking its best. Call us today!
