A fresh coat of paint has the power to completely transform the look of your home. This can be accomplished with less cash than any other remodeling project. It will also protect your home from the elements, shielding it from the sun, wind, and rain. This will only happen if the paint doesn’t begin to peel and crack though.

How Do You Prepare Exterior Walls Before Painting?

1. The time of year you choose to paint is key. Keep track of local weather patterns and choose a dry time of year where there will be little rain and lower humidity as paint needs time to dry and will not adhere to surfaces that are wet.
2. The better the quality of paint means you’ll paint less often over the years, and you’ll get better coverage. Over the past few years, paint technology has improved and colors are guaranteed to last longer than before. Don’t be tempted to skimp on paint to save money up front. You’re liable to have issues and eventually spend more money in the long run.
3. Dirty and rough surfaces are not paints friend. The surface will need to be cleaned thoroughly, allowed to dry, and sanded. Any peeling paint will need to be scraped and sanded to create a solid surface for the paint to adhere to.
4. Rotten siding or trim will need to be replaced or in the case of smaller areas, treated with wood hardener and matched with an exterior filler product. You will need to prep and sand prior to painting with either of these options to allow the paint to adhere.
5. New paint technologies have combined primer and paint into one product, making the extra step of priming unnecessary. This means less coats. These newer paints tend to be a bit more expensive, but may be comparable to buying separate primer and paint.
6. Combining paint cans into a larger five-gallon bucket will ensure you get a uniform look when the color is applied. The pros call this “boxing the paint”. This is important when you may not have bought all the paint at the same time.
7. Starting at the top and working down will conceal streaking because you will be working with gravity. While drips are inevitable, this method will allow the feathering out of mishaps in the direction you are working.
8. Make sure to close cans of paint the right way in between painting sessions to keep it from drying out. Place a layer of plastic wrap over the can before lightly hammering the lid on.
9. Adding grit to areas that are going to be slick like steps is a good idea. Add fine sand to add traction. Manufactures are also producing sand or additives that can add texture.
10. Prepping the landscape is often easy to overlook and painting can be messy. Make sure you cover the ground, bushes and any other vegetation that may come into contact with paint. Make sure to cover or move outdoor furniture, hoses, grills, etc. by weighing down drop cloths on the corners.

Interior & Exterior Painting & More in Amagansett, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Hampton Bays, Montauk, North Haven, North Sea, Noyack, Shelter Island, Sag Harbor, Shinnecock Hills, Southampton, Springs, Water Mill, Westhampton & Westhampton Beach, New York

Properly applied paint should last for a good 15 years if all the right steps have been taken. This is a great reason to call L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc. to get the professionals to do it right and saving you a lot of hard and potentially dangerous work.