If painting the exterior of your house is on your spring to-do list, there’s plenty of incentive to do the job properly: the new coat of paint will not only look more attractive, but also last much longer, so you won’t have to re-paint anytime soon.
What are the keys to a great-looking, long-lasting paint job?
1. Prepare the surface properly. The surface should be clean and sound, free of dirt, mildew and loose or peeling paint. Areas that are bare – because they are unpainted or the paint has worn off – should be primed with a top-quality exterior primer before they are painted.
2. Use high-quality brushes and rollers. Quality tools and accessories make painting more effortless and apply a thicker, more uniform coat of paint, which in turn enhances its durability. If you choose to speed your work by using power washing and spray equipment, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
3. Apply top-quality paint. The highest quality paints adhere better, are far more flexible (to withstand expansion, contraction, or other movement in the exterior), and contain special additives to resist mould and mildew. That makes them much more durable than ordinary paints. In most cases, the best choice is a top-quality 100% acrylic latex paint.
4. Paint in the right weather conditions. It’s best to do exterior painting in mild weather, ideally when the temperature is between 15 and 30 degrees C., with little or no wind. Paints form the most protective coating in this type of weather.
A paint job that has been well-prepared and applied should last at least seven years under normal circumstances. These keys will help you lock it in.
