4 Mistakes To Avoid When Painting Your Home's Exterior
Painting the exterior of your home can be a great way to revive curb appeal and give your home a makeover. And with the right tools from places like Koontz Hardware and know-how, you can even save yourself a pretty penny by completing the paint job yourself. Before you jump into a house-painting project, however, there are some common exterior painting mistakes that you'll need to avoid to ensure the best results.
Not Prepping Your Home
One of the worst things you can do when painting your home's exterior is painting over a dirty surface. This is a sure way to end up with peeling and chipping paint. Avoid this mistake by taking the time to power wash your home with detergent (and allowing it to dry completely) before you attempt to paint it. You can rent a power washer at your local home improvement store if you don't have one of your own. At the very least, if you can't get a hold of a power washer, you should hose your home down with a garden hose to remove excess dirt and debris.
Being Careless With Your Ladder
When it's time to break out that ladder, be careful with your placement of it as you paint your home--especially if you have aluminum or vinyl siding. The tips of your ladder can actually dent your siding if you're not careful. You can also purchase a set of ladder mitts for cheap at your local home improvement store, which you can slide over the top of your ladder to provide padding and minimize damage to your home's exterior while you work.
Using the Wrong Paint
If your home has been painted in the past, you'll need to use the same type of paint that was used in the prior application to ensure the best results. The two main types of paint used on exterior surfaces are oil-based and latex (also known as water-based). You can determine which type is on your home is to rub a rag with some denatured alcohol over the painted surface; if the paint comes off, you're dealing with latex paint.
Improper Application
Finally, make sure to apply the paint in ideal conditions, such as an overcast day that's not humid. Painting in high humidity will slow down the drying process, whereas painting in too much direct sunlight can result in a streaky appearance. Exterior paint can take up to a day to dry, so be sure to keep an eye on the weather forecast and don't paint if there is any rain in the upcoming 24 hours or so.
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