Pro Tips For Exterior Painting
If you are planning to paint the exterior of your Pasadena’s home, there are a few professional tips we’d like to share. Partnership Painting Inc has been painting homes and commercial buildings as a company since 1984. However, many of us have been in the industry a long time.
Some people love to call in house painters and some want to do it themselves. There are plenty of people with skills like this who can get an exterior painting project done well. But no matter what you know about exterior painting, there’s always something else to learn.
Here are a few tips from our pros that will help you achieve the best possible results with exterior painting.
Inspect The Caulking & Waterproof Sealants First
Anytime there is a gap or crack where two pieces of wood or two types of materials meet, moisture can work its way behind the materials. This is where it sits and rots the materials that are not waterproof. Whether it’s wood rotting or rusting, the problem will quickly destroy the building materials of your home.
Take a walk around the exterior of your house before ever beginning the exterior painting project plan. You’ll want to know exactly what needs to be done so you can conserve enough time and finances to complete this very important step before exterior painting.
Look for old caulking which is either missing or crumbling. There shouldn’t be any boards with gaps between them, even tiny hairline cracks. Also, check the windows to make sure the glass panes are properly sealed. All this should be properly sealed and waterproofed.
- Windowpane putty or sealant
- Caulking around windows on the exterior
- Caulking around doors on the exterior
- Seams and gaps between wood
The next thing you’ll need to check is how worn down the paint is. If it’s worn really thin on the siding or trim of the house, you’ll want to be sure you put enough coats of paint up to give it a good waterproof seal.
Always, Always Clean The Exterior Before Painting
A grimy surface is going to impede the adhesiveness of the exterior paint. It’s best to pressure wash the exterior surfaces before painting. Otherwise, you’ll find the paint peeling off later or forming blisters and cracks. Once this happens, it’s only a matter of time before moisture ruins your siding.
Always Use Quality Exterior Paints & Other Products
You’ll want to be sure that you choose quality paints and sealants that last as long as possible. House painting is a big job. You don’t want to repaint in five short years and you want the color to remain vibrant. Choose a quality paint like Sherwin-Williams, BEHR, or Benjamin Moore.
There are caulk brands like DAP Inc. which make acrylic latex caulk that is resistant to mildew and moisture. It will adhere to just about anything well. There are other brands as well. Make sure you choose the kind for exterior use and that the type you choose will adhere to the specific surface to be caulked. Also, be sure that the caulk can be painted over as a few cannot.
Always Remember The Pros Are Here To Help!
There’s nothing wrong with finding out you need help with something as big as an exterior house painting project. It takes a lot of work, the right tools, time, and a lot of stamina to complete a big painting project. If you decided to take on your own house painting and found you just can’t get finished, call a pro! We can’t think of any professional who wouldn’t help you get the project finished.
If you’re here in the Pasadena area, you can call Partnership Painting Inc for all your house painting needs. We also paint churches and other commercial buildings.
Keep The Brand & Name Of The Color Written Down
Some people choose to just keep the old paint can so they know what touch up colors to buy. However, things can happen to the can, so it’s best to write down the colors you use to paint your house. You can tape a list of the paints used to the inside of a cabinet for easy referencing later. Tape right over the whole list including edges so moisture won’t damage it.