When it comes to painting the exterior of any building, it goes without saying that there are steps that are essential to the overall results of the finished results. There are some steps in part or alone that people may do when getting the exterior painting. Today, we at L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc. would like to discuss a few of the most critical steps that are often skipped that will impact the end result.
Cleaning the Surface Before Painting
Cleaning is one of the most underrated aspects of any paint job, particularly for exterior work. No matter if it be a build-up of dust and dirt, grime or even moss in some cases, the outside of your home collects all kinds of different materials. Ultimately, it will be a waste of your time and hard work if you paint on even a slightly unclean surface. Cleaning the exterior is the first step of exterior painting. Remove that dirt and grime by scrubbing with a sponge and some warm soapy water. Also, may need to get bleach involved since mold that may be present will require a little more work. Pressure washing is the fastest most efficient way to clean the exterior surface, however.
Sanding, Repairs & Filling Cracks
If you are repainting a surface that is in bad condition, this is especially important. It is worth giving the surface a light sand, even if it’s fairly smooth and without too much peeling or cracking. This allows your paint brush to glide along it and apply paint smoothly as it also essentially has the effect of balancing out the wall. You will likely wind up with certain spots having more paint applied than others if you attempt to paint on an uneven surface. Holes and cracks may be present on surfaces that are in worse shape. In order to create as much of a consistent surface as possible, you will need to use a body filler to fill in those gaps and again. Whether if it is powder based, which you use when combined with water, or decorators caulk, which is for around frames and trim and cannot be rubbed down, you can buy a filler solution at any hardware store fairly cheaply.
Priming Before Painting
Priming cannot ever be skipped, but especially if you are using a new color. Though some outdoor surfaces such as timber for instance, that provides the level of adhesion required for the paint to spread evenly, primer is still better applied. A rather unsightly result can come from skipping the primer. You may see this shade through the new color unless you add at least a couple of primer coats if in the event you’re painting over another. Make sure you use one that is specifically formulated for the kind of surface you’re working with since primers are specifically designed for concrete, timber, plaster or meta. Also, remember to plan your paint job from the get-go. Unless you’re a professional, you will want to do the job on a nice day and know that it will take 2-3 times longer than you may think it will, especially when you take into account all the prep work.
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
To save yourself time, labor, as well as even money, trust the exterior painting project to a professional. L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc. can get the job done quickly and efficiently. Call us today!