3 Exterior Home Painting Mistakes You Should Avoid

Painting the exterior of your house can be all fun and games until you make a few mistakes that mess up the whole project. Painting can be more complicated than you think. In most cases, you may not even see the effects of your mistakes until you complete the project. Therefore, even if you are the avid DIYer, you still need to pay extra attention when painting to avoid costly mistakes, especially if it's your first time taking on such a project. To safeguard against any mistakes before you start painting, here are a few things you should be keen to avoid. 

Poor Surface Preparation

Preparation is crucial when it comes to any paint job. The surface has to be as clean as possible for the paint to adhere perfectly and last longer. Cleaning can be an arduous job, especially if you have a relatively big house. A mistake many people make is failing to clean thoroughly. You have to get rid of all debris, dirt, and even the previous paint job. A scraper should help you remove any peeling or loose paint. Any cracks in the walls should also be sealed or caulked. Failing to repair the cracks can allow moisture to seep in and affect the paint. Once you have corrected any defects on the surface, scrub the surface. A car-cleaning brush can come in handy at this stage. You can then power wash the surface and allow a day or so (depending on the weather) for your house to dry completely. 

Using the Wrong Choice of Paint

Painting your house can be exciting, but rushing to choose the paint is a bad idea. Take your time and choose the paint carefully. The trick here is to use the paint that was previously used on the house. For instance, if the house was previously painted with a latex-based paint, you will need to use exactly that. You will also have to stick with an oil-based paint if the previous coating was oil-based. If you are unsure of the kind of paint that was used, a simple alcohol test will help you know. Dip a piece of rag in alcohol and rub it on a painted surface on the exterior wall. If the paint is oil-based, the paint won't rub off onto the rag. 

Painting in the Wrong Weather

The weather is something many people overlook, but it has a significant impact on the outcome of your painting project. As a general rule of the thumb, avoid extremely hot days and direct sunlight. Too much heat will make the paint dry faster. The moisture will start evaporating below the paint's top coat, creating blisters in the process. Extremely cold temperatures are also discouraged, so check the weather forecast and choose a day when temperatures will be moderate. 

Contact professional painters for additional advice.

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