How to Paint the Exterior of a House
- 1). Repair or replace any damaged surfaces, whether wood, stucco, masonry or metal.
- 2). Wash off all surfaces. Use a high-pressure water sprayer (available to rent) to reduce labor. Make sure that surfaces dry thoroughly.
- 3). Use sandpaper or a paint scraper to remove any loose, cracked, chipping or blistered paint - down to raw surfaces if necessary. Use a small drop cloth as you go to catch loose bits of paint and debris. If you decide the exterior needs to be sandblasted, hire a licensed professional.
- 4). Patch all nail or screw holes, gouges and cracks.
- 5). Caulk such places as seams and corners, above door and window trim, and where trim meets siding - or where any material meets a different kind of material, such as trim over masonry. (Exception: Don't use caulk where siding or shingles overlap or between shingles.) Use high-grade exterior caulk. Better caulks (such as silicone) actually bond to surfaces like glue and resist breaking down.
- 6). Use epoxy filler (the material used for car bodies) to repair serious problems in woodwork.
- 7). Cover dark stains - a wood knot, old paint, wood stain - with a stain-blocking primer. The same goes for mildewed areas; you can find primers and additives made especially for mildew.
- 8). Sand all rough or glossy surfaces; paint needs a slightly roughened surface to stick to. You can also use paint deglosser on all glossy surfaces. Remove sanding dust and debris.
- 9). Remove or cover all light fixtures, plumbing outlets, electrical covers and house numbers.
- 10
Remove all screens. You don't want to get paint on them; it's difficult (or impossible) to remove. - 11
Use drop cloths to cover everything you don't want to paint, such as plants, walkways, cars and your neighbors' property. - 12
Apply primer over all raw surfaces. Note that different surfaces - paint, metal, wood, stucco - require different primers. - 13
Allow the primer to dry, then apply at least two coats of exterior paint. Let each coat dry between applications according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use a brush on all woodwork and a paint roller or spray machine for everything else.
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