Tips for Backyard Painting
Exterior Painting
Eventually your home remodeling projects will lead to exterior painting projects. There can be many motivating factors behind exterior painting such as improving the curb appeal, or a higher asking price if you are planning on putting it up on the market. Residential painting in Somerset is one of those home improvement projects that is worth the expense whether you are planning on remaining in the home or selling it down the road. No matter what the reason behind the exterior painting project, it will help improve and maintain the aesthetic value of the home. When the homeowner is planning on painting their home, there are some tips that can help ensure that the job is done successfully. Here are a few suggestions that are worth considering before beginning to paint the exterior of your home.
Preparing the Surface
Although there are many steps to successfully painting a house’s exterior, preparing the surface is possibly the most important step. The paint cannot do its job properly if the surface is not prepared adequately. The first step of preparation is to thoroughly wash the surface to remove debris and loose paint. If these are left on the surface they can sabotage the paint job. If the surface is dirty, then the new coat of paint will not be able to stick properly. When choosing the right type of cleaner, make sure to purchase one that also kills mildew. Mildew’s favorite place to grow is underneath a new coat of paint. After the surface is cleaned, use a scraper to get rid of any flaking or loose paint. Then you will want to make repairs to any areas which are damaged. When paint is applied over damaged areas, it becomes more vulnerable. Also remember to smooth out rough areas. A sander can be used if it will not mark the surface.
Apply Primer
Once the surface has been properly washed, repaired and smoothed out, apply a coat of primer. This step is one which many homeowners fail to complete, but pay for it later. Applying a primer will help ensure that the fresh coat of paint will properly adhere to the surface. There are different colors of primer and it is usually okay to use gray, white or a tinted primer for this step. If you are painting over bare wood or over a surface already painted with latex paint, you can use a latex primer. If you are painting over multiple layers of oil-based paints then you should use an oil-based primer.
Painting the Surface
In most cases, latex paint is preferred over paints that are oil-based. Latex is much easier to apply and dries much quicker than other types of paints. It is also easier to clean up with just soap and water. However, for houses that have been painted using an oil-based paint repainting will need to also be done using oil-based paint. Oil-based paints do have one advantage over latex paints, in that they are more durable than latex. It’s important to choose the exterior paint which has the right amount of sheen. A higher sheen can actually work with the paint by providing additional protection from damage the sun’s rays can cause. A satin sheen is a really good choice when it comes to shingles or clapboards. But for those areas where there is a lot of traffic like porches, window casings and doorframes you’ll want a lower sheen.
How Many Coats of Paint to Use
Even though you may be tempted to apply multiple layers for protection, it can actually be detrimental. Too many layers of paint can cause it to flake off over time. By using fewer layers of paint it is easier for it to bond with the layers underneath. When painting an exterior surface which has already been painted when paint colors are close to the same shade, it will only take one coat to cover sufficiently. However, if you are painting a darker painted surface with a lighter colored paint, or vice versa it may take more than one coat to ensure that there is adequate coverage. You’ll want to use enough paint to cover the surface completely without the layers underneath bleeding through.
Preparing the Surface
Although there are many steps to successfully painting a house’s exterior, preparing the surface is possibly the most important step. The paint cannot do its job properly if the surface is not prepared adequately. The first step of preparation is to thoroughly wash the surface to remove debris and loose paint. If these are left on the surface they can sabotage the paint job. If the surface is dirty, then the new coat of paint will not be able to stick properly. When choosing the right type of cleaner, make sure to purchase one that also kills mildew. Mildew’s favorite place to grow is underneath a new coat of paint. After the surface is cleaned, use a scraper to get rid of any flaking or loose paint. Then you will want to make repairs to any areas which are damaged. When paint is applied over damaged areas, it becomes more vulnerable. Also remember to smooth out rough areas. A sander can be used if it will not mark the surface.
Apply Primer
Once the surface has been properly washed, repaired and smoothed out, apply a coat of primer. This step is one which many homeowners fail to complete, but pay for it later. Applying a primer will help ensure that the fresh coat of paint will properly adhere to the surface. There are different colors of primer and it is usually okay to use gray, white or a tinted primer for this step. If you are painting over bare wood or over a surface already painted with latex paint, you can use a latex primer. If you are painting over multiple layers of oil-based paints then you should use an oil-based primer.
Painting the Surface
In most cases, latex paint is preferred over paints that are oil-based. Latex is much easier to apply and dries much quicker than other types of paints. It is also easier to clean up with just soap and water. However, for houses that have been painted using an oil-based paint repainting will need to also be done using oil-based paint. Oil-based paints do have one advantage over latex paints, in that they are more durable than latex. It’s important to choose the exterior paint which has the right amount of sheen. A higher sheen can actually work with the paint by providing additional protection from damage the sun’s rays can cause. A satin sheen is a really good choice when it comes to shingles or clapboards. But for those areas where there is a lot of traffic like porches, window casings and doorframes you’ll want a lower sheen.
How Many Coats of Paint to Use
Even though you may be tempted to apply multiple layers for protection, it can actually be detrimental. Too many layers of paint can cause it to flake off over time. By using fewer layers of paint it is easier for it to bond with the layers underneath. When painting an exterior surface which has already been painted when paint colors are close to the same shade, it will only take one coat to cover sufficiently. However, if you are painting a darker painted surface with a lighter colored paint, or vice versa it may take more than one coat to ensure that there is adequate coverage. You’ll want to use enough paint to cover the surface completely without the layers underneath bleeding through.