Your home’s exterior is the first impression visitors get, and it plays a significant role in your house’s curb appeal. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your home, but the process can be daunting if you’re not sure where to start. This guide will walk you through the steps to properly paint your home’s exterior and give it a fresh, updated look.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Exterior flat or eggshell paint
- Exterior semigloss paint
- Pressure washer
- Paint sprayer
- Paintbrush
- Painter’s tape
- Drop cloths
- Ladder
- Paint scraper
- Stain-blocking primer
- Epoxy filler
- Medium-grit sanding block
- Spackle knife
- Exterior caulk
- Caulk gun
- Plastic sheeting
Step 1: Pressure-Wash the Walls
Before you start painting, it’s crucial to remove any dirt and dust buildup from your house using a pressure washer. Start from the top and work your way down in a smooth, controlled manner, overlapping each stroke by 8 inches.
Step 2: Repair Damaged Surfaces
Inspect the entire perimeter of your house for any damaged surfaces such as wood, masonry, metal, siding, or stucco. Apply epoxy filler to any cracks or holes using a spackle knife. Once dry, lightly sand the area using a medium-grit sanding block.
Step 3: Remove Loose Paint
After the exterior is dry, look for any loose or chipped paint. Place drop cloths along the ground, then remove the chipped and loose paint using a paint scraper or medium-grit sanding block.
Step 4: Caulk the Trim
Fill any gaps between the house and the trim around doors and windows using exterior caulk and a caulk gun. If your house has mixed materials such as siding and brick, add caulk along the surface where different materials meet.
Step 5: Prime the Stains
Examine the exterior for any stains or visible wood knots. Apply one coat of stain-blocking primer to the area using a paintbrush.
Step 6: Protect Doors, Windows, and Lights
Cover doors, windows, and lighting fixtures using plastic sheeting and painter’s tape.
Step 7: Paint the Exterior
Load your chosen exterior paint color into the paint sprayer. Depending on the intensity of the hue, apply one or two coats of flat or eggshell exterior paint to the entire house. Remember to work your way from top to bottom in a smooth, controlled manner, overlapping each stroke by 8 inches.
Step 8: Paint the Trim and Doors
Remove the plastic sheeting from doors, windows, and lighting fixtures. Add two coats of exterior semigloss paint color to the woodwork and doors using a paintbrush. Finally, remove the drop cloths, and voila! Your home’s exterior has a fresh, new look.
Exterior painting South End, Halifax
