Are you considering exterior painting in Horsham or Ambler? Whether it’s new construction or repainting your existing home, you surely want the paint job to last. As you might already know, exterior painting is a massive project that requires significant, effort, time and a budget to go along. And no one wants to do this more often than they should.
The quality and durability of your exterior paint job have a lot to do with the surface preparation, tools and materials and painting methods used. Whether you’re taking the DIY route or hiring a professional painting contractor, here are the keys to a long-lasting exterior paint job.
1) Choose Your Paint Wisely
Regardless of your level of experience, the quality of your paint job will be as good as the paint quality you choose. Many homeowners and DIY painters tend to use low-price, low-quality paints in the hope of saving some money on the project. What they don’t understand is that low-priced paints can be difficult to work with (splattering, poor coverage, etc.), and this directly affects the quality of your final results.
Choose paints from reputable, established companies such as Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore for guaranteed durability and better coverage. In addition, make sure that you use the right type of paint for each material. Or better yet, if you’re hiring a professional painting contractor, they can help you choose the most appropriate and best quality paint at no extra fee.
2) Clean Siding and Trim.
Your siding probably has dust, dirt, mold/mildew and cobwebs, and paint won’t stick to such a surface without prior cleaning. Many paint jobs peel, crack and blister within a few months when done on surfaces that have dirt particles. The best way to clean your entire exterior is by use of a pressure washer.
Pressure washing ensures that all the grim and debris lodged into cracks and crevices is splashed out and loose surface dirt and paint is cleared to provide a clean working surface. If your siding has mildew, add a mildew-killing solution in your cleaning mixture before pressure washing (such as bleach at 1-part bleach in 3-parts water).
3) Repair Any Damages
Before swinging your brush, make sure that all the surface damages and defects on the siding are corrected. This might include wood rot, missing caulking, water damage, drywall damage, leaking gutters, leaking water pipes, damaged wood planks, etc. Take this as an opportunity to fix these issues and prevent further damage to your paint system. If not addressed promptly, things like organic growth, wood rot, and leaky fixtures will make it impossible to produce a flawless paint job, ruin your paint system soon after, and further damage your siding.
4) Scrap, Sand, and Prime
All the loose old paint and any deposits on the surface will have to be removed before actual painting can happen. Remove damaged paint and sand the edges using an orbital sander. Otherwise, the sharp edges will create thin, weak areas in the new paint. Brush away any dust created and rinse the siding and trim gently but thoroughly.
Once everything is clean and dry, apply a coat of primer to make the surface more suitable for paint adherence. Once the primer has completely dried, the actual painting can now happen.
Bottom Line
If you’re in any doubt of your painting skills, experience, and tools, it’s a good idea to hire a professional painting contractor for quality and long-lasting job. They have the right tools, skills, and experience to pick the best paint for your material and apply even, consistent paint coats after thorough surface preparation.
If you’re considering hiring an exterior home painting expert, Aspen Painting would be more than happy to help. We offer exterior painting and staining services covering the areas of Horsham, PA, Ambler, Dresher, Ft. Washington, and Blue Bell. Give us a call today to get started!
Ray is an inspiring leader with a strong work ethic stemming from his exemplary upbringing in a caring and loving family environment. His parents modeled the importance of integrity and hard work to him and his siblings, values which Ray now instills in his teenage daughter. As the owner of Aspen Painting & Wallcovering, Inc., he leads by example by expecting nothing but the best from himself and his employees. His primary goal is to provide superior service and quality craftsmanship to each of his clients so that they become enthusiastic ambassadors for the company. Ray is a passionate team player who always strives to exceed expectations.