Painting (Exterior)

Thorough preparation is the first step in painting. Pressure washing should be done first to remove dirt, mold, and loose paint. Any remaining loose paint must be scraped off. Cracks and holes should be caulked to prevent future water entry. If there is any wood rot in the siding, trim, soffit, or fascia, now is a good time to take care of it. Any bare wood or stains should be spot-primed before painting.

When changing colors (from light to dark or dark to light), it is usually a good idea to paint with primer first, to prevent the old color from bleeding through. (Tinting your primer to a color that is closer to the final color will provide a nicer look for dark colors. Even then, it might be necessary to apply two coats of the new paint.

It is a good idea to buy a sample of the candidate paint and to paint about a 1-foot square spot to see how the paint will actually look. This could even be painted onto a poster board and held up against the house.

 

Caulk those nail holes!