Having a house means that at some point in its lifetime, you will need to repaint it to keep it looking new. However, the cost of painting a house can be quite high. Hiring professionals such as https://www.myhousepainter.com/ may make the job much as easier as you can sit back and allow someone else to make your house look brand new.
If you are going to hire a professional, it’s super-important to do your research as, sadly, not every painter out there is trustworthy. Some will settle on one price, but by the end of the job will find ways to sneak in a few extra costs here and there. The worst possible scenario? You end up paying a higher price for a bad paint job.
Buying a pre-owned home makes it necessary to put some fresh paint on its exterior. You can always do the painting yourself to save some money. If this is your first time, then there’s no need to be intimidated. Here are some tips and tricks that’ll help you paint your home like a pro!
Find The Right Tools for The Job
The key to any DIY (do it yourself) project is to find the best tools and equipment. The quality of the work not only depends on the skill of the painters but also on the tools they use. While rollers and brushes are more than enough to get the job done, investing in an airbrush or paint sprayer, preferably a cordless one is a good decision. Even though fussing with wires and cords in a job that requires meticulousness is nothing short of a nightmare.
Airbrush or paint sprayers are great for several reasons. Firstly, they can cover a large area, making your job a lot easier and faster. Secondly, they can be used anywhere without you having to worry. Lastly, they are overall more convenient as you don’t have to carry around buckets and tins of paint wherever you go.
Besides, you will be able to achieve that flawless, smooth, and professional-looking finish without effort. If you are interested in purchasing a cordless paint sprayer for yourself, you can go to airbrush-expert.com.
Remove Any Excess Dirt or Grime From the Exterior Surface
You will be painting the exterior of your home, so there will be a lot of dirt and grime accumulated on its surface. This rule applies to almost everything you do in your life – starting with a clean canvas.
Before painting your home, you need to get rid of any dirt, debris or grime that might be stuck on the surface. Otherwise, you’ll end up with lumps and bumps on the exterior of your house, which won’t be the most flattering thing to look at.
For this, you will need to use a power washer, a scrubber and some good quality cleaning liquid. Once you’re done with that, we can move on to the next step.
Get Rid of Any Remnants of Old Paints
This step is a little more tedious than the rest. You need to check your home’s exterior for any remaining bits of flaking or chipped paint. To remove them, you will need paint scrapers. The next step will be to brush the areas clean using a wire brush. Wire brushes are coarser than regular brushes, so you will be able to get rid of those stubborn paint that refuses to get off even after trying to scrape them off.
Fix Any Damaged Areas
After everything is squeaky clean, make sure to repair any areas that have been damaged before or while you were scraping off the old paint. You might also come across areas where the wood has started to rot – in which case you need to remove the rotting part. To make the surface smooth again, you will need wood putty which can be painted over. To get started with the repairs, you will need wood putty knives of different sizes and sandpaper to help smooth out the surface after the putty is dry.
Seal Gaps Between Walls, Doors and Windows
Moisture is the reason behind the walls getting quickly damaged. If you want to prevent moisture from getting into your walls, then you need to properly seal gaps between your doors/windows and the external walls. For this, you will need some exterior caulk. Caulk is a waterproof substance that is used to seal any gaps on the walls. Seal all the gaps using a caulk gun before moving on to your next step.
Prime Your Painting Surface
Some makeup artists usually say, “to not prime is a crime”. They use this term because a primer increases the longevity of any product applied on top. It also makes the face appear smoother, making everything look airbrushed. The same logic applies to your home’s exterior; if you want the paint to last long, have a smooth and flawless finish, you need to prime the surface properly. Exterior primers are a necessity if you want professional-looking results to improve the look of your home. Don’t skip this step!
Block Off Lights, Doors and Windows
You don’t want any of your exterior paints bleeding onto your outdoor lights, doors and windows. You can cover the outdoor lights using plastic bags. Make sure to seal them tightly before starting the painting job. As for your doors and windows, all you have to do is lay down some painters tape around the borders. Remember to remove the tape while the paint is still wet! If you pull off the tape after the paint dries, not only will you lose that crisp line of demarcation, you will also pull off the paint from the edges.
Paint In Layers
If you want the paint to be opaque and have good color pay off, then you should paint multiple layers. Ideally, you need around three coats of paint. Don’t start lathering on paint. You should wait about two hours between each coat of paint.
Applying too many layers without allowing the previous layer to dry will leave you with a thick coat of paint that will take ages to dry. The weather is unpredictable. If your paint does not dry on time you will have to remove the paint and start all over again. Furthermore, dirt from the environment will stick to the fresh paint and dull the color. You don’t want all your hard work to waste, so take your time with the coats.
It is also preferable to use new brushes or rollers for each layer you apply. Also, painting instructions vary between paint companies; some paints will need three coats, while others may require two. Make sure to read the instructions before starting your work.
Conclusion
Painting your home’s exterior is tough work, but it will save you that extra bit of money. That’s not all; there’s also something very satisfying and fulfilling about painting your own house. It speaks of that personal touch – that’s something you should be proud of. Hopefully, with the help of this guide, you will be able to make your home look as good as new. Good Luck!