Surface Preparation, the Key to a Lasting Finish
Can you identify the key to a beautiful, lasting exterior paint finish? Many people are surprised to learn that it isn’t found in using quality paint alone, or proper application techniques (as important as those things are). The key to an enduring finish is skilled, thorough surface preparation.
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Wash – Before painting, the exterior of your house will need to be washed. Generally, we will arrange to have your home washed at least 3 days before painting commences so as to allow the surfaces to thoroughly dry out.
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Scrape – Next, it’s important to scrape any loose paint off of the siding of the house. It’s important to have drop cloths below where you work so these paint chips don’t land in the grass.
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Sand – Sanding is a necessary step to smooth the exterior surfaces and create an ideal surface for the paint to adhere to.
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Patch – If there are any remaining areas that need repair, they’ll need to be patched up before the exterior is primed.
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Prime – Next the surface will need to be primed. Each prime is different. The paint manufacturer will indicate how many coats are needed.
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Caulk – Seal all of the cracks and corners so no moisture will seep through.
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Paint – Finally, it’s time to paint the house in the color of your choice.
