Nothing breathes new life into a property quite like exterior painting. It provides an instant glow-up to homes that look a little tired from the street. So whether you’re selling or want to feel better about the view that greets you when you pull into your driveway, exterior house painting is a great option for maximising street appeal.
Getting the colour choice right is important, as is determining how much paint you’ll need. However, the most important thing you can do before painting your Perth property is prepping the surfaces. This is our quick guide on how to prepare a house for exterior painting.
Why is surface preparation important for exterior house painting?
If a flawless paint finish is your goal, proper surface preparation is crucial. Correctly prepping exterior surfaces before painting ensures:
- paintwork goes on evenly for a smooth and aesthetically pleasing finish;
- optimal paint adhesion, giving a long-lasting and durable finish that won’t blister or flake.
Step by Step: How To Prepare A House For Exterior Painting
Want your house to be the best-looking property in your street? Follow this step-by-step guide to exterior painting prep.
- Thoroughly clean all exterior surfaces to be painted. Make sure all dirt, mould, grime and loose paint are removed. The most effective method for doing this is with a pressure washer. Before you start, ensure you choose a nozzle with a gentle setting, as a more aggressive spray could damage the surface and make painting more difficult. You want to ensure no mould is left on the surface before you paint, as covering it can lead to peeling and bubbling paint as the mould continues to grow and spread.
- Repair any damage to the surface of your home. Whether your home is made of wood, stucco, metal, masonry, or any combination thereof, you’ll want to ensure all exterior surfaces are free of damage. Repair any holes, cracks, bloating, or other forms of damage as required. Holes and cracks can be repaired by applying an epoxy filler with a spackle knife and sanding the excess away.
- Sand and scrape away loose and peeling paint. The surface of your home needs to be as smooth as possible so the paint will adhere properly, so be thorough. If the surface is wood, make sure you scrape with the grain to avoid tearing the fibres in the wood. Paint scrapers and wire brushes are effective tools for this step, especially on horizontal surfaces.
- Prime and seal the surface. After sanding and scraping, there may be some bare spots on your house that need to be primed and sealed. This helps keep out any moisture – crucial during a hot, humid Perth summer. Again, it’s all about helping the paint adhere to the surface effectively.
- Caulk and seal gaps and holes. Using exterior caulk and a caulk gun, fill the gaps between the house, the trim, and the doors and windows. If your house is made of different materials, you’ll want to caulk where the two different materials meet. Caulking will improve the quality of your paint job and help to keep any moisture out. Choose appropriate exterior grade caulking – it is made to withstand exposure to high temperatures and moisture.
- Mask and seal windows, doors, trims, and any other surfaces you don’t want to paint. This will help protect the glass panes, light fixtures, and any other surfaces from being splattered with paint. Make sure you score the edges to get as clean a line as possible.
- Check the weather! When painting outdoors, the weather can affect the quality of the paint job as well as the drying time. Avoid painting when it’s too hot as the paint can dry too quickly, causing bubbles to form. Rainy weather and high humidity days aren’t ideal either as paint adhesion can be compromised. Mild weather is your best bet.
Does prepping for exterior painting feel like hard work?
If prepping seems like a chore, wait until you start painting! Not everyone has the time, patience or energy to devote to exterior house painting. If that’s you, make life easier and call in professional house painters. From prepping to paintwork, we’ll handle the lot.
