A Lasting Finish is Possible With Proper Exterior Paint Prep
While superior quality paint is an important aspect to a lasting paint finish, what is perhaps more important is proper surface and paint preparation. You must at least adequately prepare the paint if you want to ensure that the finish will not prematurely fail. This is the main cause of paint failures in a finish’s integrity. Furthermore, exterior painting requires the most attention to detail – after all, you must prepare for the harsh weather and sunlight conditions that the paint will have to endure.
50% or more of the time spent on painting projects is spent in preparation of the finishing surface.
To ensure a quality paint finish, you must lay the proper foundation; know the extent to which your surface needs to be entirely prepped. When setting up, take the entire home into account as well. Tackling a new project should be done with vigilance. Take one step at a time and address any areas that require repair .
Most of the time, the areas that need the most care in preparation are windows, doors, wood trim, and fascia boards. If you have light rot and damage, that can be handled with epoxy wood filler or bonding glue, but if an area is critically exhausted or rotten, it should be replaced. Seattle paintingShearer Painting often restores fascia boards, window casings, and other exposed substrates.
Prevention Can Save Time and Money
Adding certain aspects to your preparation process can greatly improve a paint finish’s longevity and prevent needed repairs down the line – this includes items like metal flashings that protect your home from ice and rain. Often times, a home may be constructed without these additions, and all that’s used for protection is caulk. All fascia boards must have metal flashings that extend from the underside of the roofing material and overhang beyond the fascia. Metal flashings are important, as they provide proper roof drainage and can be installed even if they weren’t originally there.
Another area susceptible to rot are the areas where flashing over windows and doors should be, called, drip edge. Many homes have drip edges, but if your house is older, it may not have it, and only have caulking to seal the edges of the frame.
You should study your old paint’s current condition – it can indicate trouble areas. You can tell that you may have a water leak if you see an area with blistering and peeling or discoloration. If an area is exposed to heavy moisture, it’s more likely to have peeling paint and mold and/or mildew. If mold and mildew are present, it should be removed immediately; leaks should be sealed before applying primer to avoid future leak issues.
Readying Your Exterior
Shearer Painting pressure washes shingles, siding, and stucco to remove chalk deposits on the current finish. Having a clean surface to provide a proper base for a new finish is one of the most important steps in the paint preparation process. If a building is undergoing restaining, extra attention to detail is necessary, because cleaning the surface is one of the most important aspects of the job.
We sand and scrape loose paint away after pressure washing. It’s good practice use both techniques and alternate between the two to ensure no loose paint is left on the exterior surface.
If rough-cut wood, like rough sawn cedar, is being prepared, a wire brush is needed. Wire paint stripping attachments for power drills make the process smoother as well.
Preparation is one of the more physically demanding aspects to exterior refinishing, but it’s definitely the most important. By removing all loose paint from the surface, a groundwork for a lasting finish is being made.
Getting the job done.
Many homeowners are concerned about lead paint, and they should be, especially if their homes were built before 1978. To take proper action in ensuring that you’re following lead-safe practices, research how to handle the situation; find a contractor, like Shearer Painting, that is an EPA certified lead renovator.
Make sure to use the highest quality products available to ensure a lasting, good-looking finish that won’t deteriorate prematurely when caulking, masking, and priming. Use this technique when choosing paint and painting methods. If you’re choosing a painting professional to take on your exterior job, make sure to choose the right one, as it can save you time, money, and repair work.
Remember that some work may need a building permit and inspection. Keep in mind that a contractor may not be able to take on your repair job alone because of their qualifications. To find out more information on permits and inspection in the United States, contact your local building authority. If you reside in Canada, you can visit websites like the one here that provide information on Canada’s building permits.
If you take the proper time and care in preparing your home, you could get a lasting, beautiful finish that sticks around for 10 years or more.
