Is it Important to Surface Prep before Exterior Painting?

 

Photo by Flow Clark on Unsplash

You can spend up to $80 for the most durable lifetime-warranty paint available, applying six coats, but if you aren't taking the time necessary to complete your prep work correctly, it'll not be worth it. The amount of work you perform will affect the lifespan of your exterior painting project.

Some people skip the preparation work because it is hard labour and time-consuming, others don't realize its significance, and others aren't sure how to approach it. Although we cannot say much about the difficulties of the task, this post will detail each step in the process so that you'll know how to complete the job correctly.

Cleaning

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Houses are prone to getting dirty due to dust and other pollutants. If you allow these pollutants on the surface while you paint, the paint will adhere to dirt, not on the surface you would like it to adhere to.

As Painters and Decorators look into paint problems, it is easy to identify when a lack of cleaning before painting caused an issue with the colour.

We can look at the inside of a paint chip peeling off the walls, and if I could see dirt, I knew it wasn't properly cleaned.

Therefore, do yourself a big favour and perform an exhaustive pre-paint cleaning of all areas that will be painted. It's much easier to get better life from moderate-quality paint layered over a clean and properly prepared surface than gain from a top-quality product sprayed on an unclean home.

Let the Surface Dry

It might sound absurd, but it must be noted that paint primer, caulking, or primer cannot stick to wet surfaces. Cleaning before painting can make your siding wet, and when you've used a pressure washer, it will remain wet for several days.

Always stay on the safe side and allow a few days for the surface to fully dry out before proceeding to the next stage. If you're hurrying to finish the job, the downtime could be a hassle. However, this stage does not require any physical effort from your side.

Scraping

Photo by Anna Shvets: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-man-scraping-the-flour-from-the-countertop-5953524/

When most people decide to paint their homes, they're beginning to see peeling paint. If this is the case in your situation, it's time to scrape away all loose coatings until what's left are the cleanly adhered paint and bare areas. Any curled or peeling edges can lead to damage to the paint.

Damage Repair

Photo by Lucas Pezeta: https://www.pexels.com/photo/construction-site-with-builders-on-brick-wall-5242049/

If you're dealing with rotten or damaged parts of trim or siding, the wall painters need to fix the damaged or damaged sections at this point in the game.

Ensure that the protruding nail heads below the surface using a hammer or the pointy end of your painter's multi-tool.

Sanding

The next step taken by the wall painters is, sanding the surfaces to smooth them. This means sanding off any exposed wood that is rough and feather-sanding the edges of the paint that's visible on the exterior.

This can reduce the look and appearance of transitions from the unfinished surface to the current coating when you paint on the top.

After the wall painters have sanded it all down, it is important to clean the dust off the surface to make it easier for the paint and primer to stay on the surface. It's possible to wipe it down with a cloth or blow it off using your air compressor or spray it a soak using a garden hose or a pressure washer. If you decide to employ water, wait until the water is completely dry before proceeding.

Priming

Photo by Joice Rivas: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-man-using-a-sander-on-a-wooden-plank-7329385/

If you don't have any peeling paint, you'll be capable of avoiding this step and proceeding to the next.

If you do, the wall painters have to apply a spot-priming process to the areas not primed since paint cannot always stick to the surface. It is important to choose the best quality primer suitable for the area you're applying it.

Caulking

Photo by Erik Mclean: https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-worker-applying-sealant-on-seam-of-window-in-house-6124242/

Caulking does more than make your paint look nice. It also stops water from getting inside the structure and causing damage. All siding butt joints and the gaps between trim and siding are sealed to prevent water entering.

However, please don't overdo it and close the horizontal laps of the clapboard siding, as this will hinder the siding from breathing.

Before the Painters and Decorators at Edinburgh apply new caulking, we get rid of any caulking that is already in place from joints that have broken or ripped away to the joints.

Painting

Photo by Ivan Samkov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-variety-of-paintbrushes-with-orange-paint-5798978/

After finishing these steps, it's time to paint. When choosing the right exterior paint, there are several important factors to consider, so do your research before purchasing. If you're going to devote the time and effort to the preparation process, you need to ensure that you're choosing a paint that can last your entire life.