Exploring the Hows of Applying Exterior Paint

Exterior paint is a sure way to leave a strong impression, whether good or bad. That alone is enough to make sure the job is done well. Remember that while you can paint your own exterior, leaving your house painting to the professionals can ensure the job is done properly, just the way you like it.

Prerequisites Before Painting Your Exterior

While we love a gung-ho attitude as much as the next person, it is important to do a little prep work before you paint your exterior. 

Pressure Wash Properly Before You Paint

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of starting with a clean slate before laying down exterior paint. Anything stuck to the walls will compromise the smoothness of a new coat and can even diminish how long the paint holds up by interfering with how the paint bonds to the surface.

Additionally, if biological trespassers like mildew and mold are trapped under a layer of paint, they may still continue to spread, causing respiratory problems in addition to negatively impacting how the paint adheres.

Pressure washing is the most powerful and convenient method for cleaning exterior surfaces. It can cut the time spent with a bucket and scrub brush in half and do a better job of getting rid of dirt and debris. 

That being said, there are many ways pressure washing exterior surfaces can go wrong. Some materials like mortar and vinyl siding do not always hold up well under pressure, and displaced water can actually lead to rot problems later on. These issues can be mitigated by using the right nozzle and pressure settings. A professional pressure washing team will understand which of these should be used and avoid damaging your property. 

Prep Your Property

Before you lay down exterior paint, it is important to get the rest of your property ready for the process. Make sure you cover any plants, outdoor furniture, and windows and doors. This will protect them from being inadvertently painted. It is also important to protect the painter. Gloves, eye protection, and clothes that have seen better days are highly recommended. Keep children and pets away from the worksite.

What Is the Best Way to Apply Exterior Paint?

Painting exteriors presents more flexibility than interiors because of the natural ventilation. That being said, weather conditions and airborne debris are much bigger factors when applying exterior paint than when your living room needs a touch-up. All of these should be taken into account when you decide which tools you want to use to paint your exterior. 

Paint Spraying

Paint spraying is a quick and clean way to paint exterior surfaces. The process uses a paint sprayer to apply aerosolized paint even to areas that are difficult for brushes to reach. It has its challenges, though. It is not a great fit for intricate areas, which usually cause the paint to puddle instead of adhere evenly. Beginners especially often have trouble applying an even coat even to flat areas, and dripping and running is a big risk.

The preparation for spraying on paint, especially for those who haven’t done so before, can cancel out the time saved by spraying. Masking is a must, the tools must be assembled, and the clean up is involved. You cannot simply pause when using a paint sprayer, otherwise the paint will dry in the hose or gun, causing clogging. 

When using a paint sprayer, anything you don’t want painted must be moved far away from the home to avoid particles being blown onto them. For this reason, it is very important to keep an eye on the wind forecast when you plan to paint. You shouldn’t spray paint or do any exterior painting on windy or breezy days.

Brushes and Rollers

Making use of brushes or paint rollers is the more traditional method for painting exteriors. It is generally less expensive but more labor-intensive. Paint applied with a brush or roller is more likely to last because the tools push the paint into the surface it is applied to.

Brushes are much better for detail work, and it is much easier to step away from a paint job being applied with a brush. The prep work required is significantly less than painting with a sprayer, so even though the main draw of a spray application is speed, the two methods take a comparable amount of time.

A Little Bit of Both 

Most professional painters will apply exterior paint with a combination of both spraying and rolling. Paint is sprayed on and then pressed into the walls with a roller for better adhesion. The technique is usually performed by two people so the paint can be rolled into the surface immediately. This method gives the benefit of a sprayer’s speed and the long-lasting adhesion and even coating of rolling.