Preparation for exterior house painting;

Preparation is very, very important. Do not take shortcuts with this step.

Look for defects, fill any holes, sand any rough areas, and wash the area you are going to paint. If there is mould present make sure you use a cleaning product that will kill and remove it. If not mouldy use Sugar Soap to wash down. If it’s not clean, the paint will not adhere properly.

Peeling paintwork must be scraped or sanded away, raw timber should be primed. If you are not sure how good the surface is, try this test. Score a small area with a very sharp knife then apply a piece of masking tape, then rip it away, if some of the paint comes away the surface should be stripped.

Clean Metal surfaces if rusted with a wire brush then use a Rust Converter before painting. Leaks in gutters and downpipes should be sealed using a Paintable Silicone.

Older timber windows with Putty holding the glass should be checked and loose flaking material replaced.

Any exposed nail heads should be punched below the surface, the hole filled, sanded and spot primed.

Pick the correct type of Paint

Choose the best quality paint in the finish you prefer. Gloss is best for Weatherboards as it washes easily time and time again. This helps the job last for many years. Low Sheen for Brick and Masonry surfaces as it helps disguise small imperfections. Talk to the Paint man at your local Hardware store. If you measure the length, multiply it by the height of the walls, and give this square metre, measurement to your Paint man he will give you the amount of paint needed. Remember two coats are best.

I prefer Acrylic for everything except Doors and Door Frames where I like to use Enamel paint. However, that’s just me.

Apply the Paint

Mix the paint thoroughly using a flat piece of timber similar to a piece of 50 by 12mm (2”x”) Make sure you get all the thicker material from the bottom of the can. Pour a small amount (1.5 litres) into a small paint bucket. It’s much easier to hold than a large can. Start at the top and work downwards, Gutter, Fascia boards the walls, lastly the windows, doors, and the frames.

Weatherboards will need to be brushed using a 100mm (4”) brush but flat wall surfaces can be rollered. Don’t overload either tool, use small amounts to start and increase the quantity as you get into the swing of applying. For example. Put about one third of your brush into the paint, slap it against both sides of the can then lift the brush up and turn the bristles upwards and lay the paint onto the wall. Brush back and forth a couple of times. Use light strokes. Keep it as even as possible. Then reload the brush.

With a Roller put it into the paint and roll it back and forth in the tray a few times, then roll it onto the wall making the letter “W” about 600 mm high and wide, then fill in the gaps before reloading.

Lastly

Check the directions on the Paint can BEFORE you start. Clean brushes and rollers well if you want them to last for the job. You can wrap a roller in two plastic bags, which will keep it okay overnight. Brushes should be washed at least twice if not three times if painting all day. If you don’t the brush will tend to clog up with dried paint.

Try to enjoy the experience and remember that good preparation is the key to a good job.

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