A quality paint job enhances the façade of houses and commercial properties. However, it is not enough to just slap any old colour on the wall and call it a day. You need to prepare your exterior wall for painting.
Why Should You Prepare Exterior Wall for Painting?
Prep work is the underlying foundation for a high-quality finish and proper paint adhesion.
Failing to prep your walls before painting can cause problems such as peeling, cracking, or blistering. This leaves you with a less-than-professional finish – the kind that makes your property look unattractive or untidy.
Moreover, when you take the time to prep your wall before painting, you’re giving your paint a better chance of withstanding the elements and harsh weather conditions. You will also spend less time on repairs down the line, which translates to lower upkeep costs.
Simply put, prepping your wall before painting is key to a durable paint job – one that lasts around 5 to 10 years. You get to save in the long run with proper prep work as you avoid prematurely repainting your walls.
How to Prepare Exterior Wall for Painting
Sand the Surface
If the old paint is already peeling, you need to scrape it off. This is a tedious process that can take hours or even days to complete depending on the size of the walls and the severity of the peeling. The good news is that it’s totally doable!
Make sure you protect yourself. Wear gloves and goggles to avoid getting any errant bits of paint in your eyes or on your skin.
Also, get all your tools laid out before you start working. You’ll want to have scrapers (both large and small), wire brushes, sandpaper and ladders (both stepstools and tall ones).
One of the easiest ways to remove old paint is with a scraper. When you do this task, work from top to bottom. Also, start in one corner and work your way across. Be careful not to press too hard on the wall, as you may damage it if you scrape too forcefully.
If most of the paint won’t come off with just scraping and brushing, try using a heat lamp to loosen up some of the tougher spots. Then, use the scraper or wire brush to scrape away any bits of paint that are left behind.
Once you’ve scraped off all the loose paint, you can use a wire brush to scrub away any remaining bits that are left behind.
If the old paint is still in good condition, all you need is a slight sanding to achieve a flat sheen.
Repair Damages
While scraping loose paint, take note of damaged areas – those with cracks and holes. Fill them with epoxy using a spackle knife, and then give those patches at least two days to cure before moving on.
For gaps on trims around doors and windows, fill them using caulk. Meanwhile, if your exterior wall is composed of mixed materials – like wood siding and brick, apply caulk on the areas where these materials converge.
The putty and caulk will need 24 hours to dry, but after that, you can apply a final coat of primer over everything just in case. If necessary, lightly sand the areas you filled to smoothen them.
Meanwhile, remove rust on metal surfaces by sanding or wire brushing. As for wooden surfaces, replace rotten pieces. When you notice grey or black areas, use a nail to determine if they are soft or firm. Firm spots indicate that the wood is just weathered, not rotten. In this case, sand the grey areas properly to ensure that the paint sticks well.
Clean the Surface
Use a sponge or air spray to wipe away sanding dust and debris. For mildew and moulds, use a chlorine bleach solution to remove them. If there are still filthy areas, scrub or pressure wash them.
Pressure or power washing your outdoor wall before painting is integral in achieving a long-lasting paint job. It removes dirt and debris as well as any imperfections that could prevent paint from adhering well. Furthermore, if there are any lingering dirt particles or stains on the wall’s surface, they will show through the paint and be visible to anyone who sees it.
Power washing also gives you a chance to see how well the old paint job is holding up. How does this help you? If there are areas that need more attention than others in terms of scraping or filling holes, pressure washing makes those areas stand out so you can take care of them!
Tip:
Slowly wash the surface from top to bottom. This way, dirt and debris fall on the ground and do not get deposited at the top of the wall.
Prime Bare Wood, Metal and Concrete Surfaces
Another essential thing you should do to ensure excellent paint adhesion is to prime the surface with a quality sealer.
Choose a chalky wall sealer if you have a dusty wall. To cut down on waiting time, use hot stucco primer for stucco that has not completely cured. Lastly, a latex primer is best for wood or vinyl siding.
Tip:
Always check the manufacturer’s recommended drying time for the primer. Make sure you follow it to achieve the best result.
Protect Areas That You Won’t be Painting On
No matter how careful you are, there is no guarantee that paint drips or splatters won’t end up on areas like your doors or windows. So, make sure you cover any surface that you wouldn’t want to be painted. You can use plastic sheeting and painter’s tape to protect your windows, doors and other fixtures.
Do a Final Test Swatch
Apply a coat of paint on a small area first to determine that the colour’s shade and paint’s sheen are precisely what you want. Imagine realising that the colour isn’t what like want after painting almost half of your exterior wall. This is a horrible situation that translates to wasted time and effort.
Preparing a wall for painting is not too difficult, but it does take some time. You may be tempted to skip these tasks finish the project quickly. While you can do this, it is not a smart decision. Pre-painting prep work is necessary for achieving a more professional finish. It also lets you save time and money by helping you avoid prematurely re-painting your wall.
Is it time to give your repaint your exterior walls? Make sure that you prepare your exterior wall for painting the right way. Better yet, let trusted exterior painters do the job to get a professional-looking and durable finish. Call us today at 086 608 1817 / 085 139 0233 or send us a message here to request a free quote.
