You’ve gotten pretty amazing at DIY home-repair projects (if you do say so yourself). You’ve tackled tricky interior painting jobs, accumulated some serious tools and supplies, and think you just might be ready to repaint the exterior of your home.
It’s a big undertaking, but it can be done. Let us walk you through exactly how to prep the exterior of a house for painting.
From there, you can make an informed decision on whether this is something you want or have the time to take on. If you’re not so sure, you’ll know who to call in the Portland area for the best professional service and most beautiful results.
Table of Contents
- Can I Paint Over Old Exterior Paint?
- How To Prep the Exterior of a House for Painting in Six Steps
- Best Practices for Preparing Different Exterior Surfaces
- How To Prep a House for Exterior Paint: Additional Tips To Consider
- Let the Professionals at Two Brothers Painting Take Care of Prepping and Painting Your Home’s Exterior
Can I Paint Over Old Exterior Paint?
It depends. You want a quality finish. If the old paint is in good condition and adheres well to the surface, priming may not be necessary. If the old paint is peeling or flaking, it’s best to prime first, creating a smooth surface for the new paint to adhere to.
You want to take the right steps to prepare the exterior for new paint, including deep cleaning and making repairs to damaged areas of old paint. You are investing a lot in this project, so you want the results to look good and last a long time. Rushing the prep will lead to a shoddy finish that won’t last as long as you’d expect. If this is already beginning to sound like a lot of steps and hours of work to prep and paint a home exterior, it is. The professionals at Two Brothers Painting can give an accurate estimate of the cost for the entire job.
How To Prep the Exterior of a House for Painting in Six Steps
There are six steps you cannot skip if you want a quality and long-lasting finish to your fresh exterior paint job. Here, we will teach you exactly how to prep a house exterior for painting.
If you want great results, you should:
- Gather all the right materials.
- Assess the condition of the current paint.
- Clean the exterior thoroughly.
- Repair any damages.
- Choose the right primer and paint.
- Protect doors, windows, fixtures, and landscaping.
Read on to get more information about each step.
#1: Gather Your Materials
You will need the following materials to prepare your house for exterior painting:
- Soft bristle vinyl brush
- Pressure washer
- Mildew cleaner solution
- Scraper
- Sander or sandpaper
- Scaffolding or a tall ladder
- Caulk
- Repair materials for the type of exterior walls on the house
- Drop cloths
- Painters tape
- Protection for fixtures
- Paint sprayer
- Exterior weather-proof primer
- Quality exterior paint
Using the right materials and following all the professionally recommended steps will result in a beautiful paint job that lasts for years to come.
#2: Assess the Condition of the Current Paint
Now that you’ve got the materials to do the job right, it’s time to assess the condition of the exterior of your home from top to bottom.
As you evaluate the condition of your home’s exterior, do the following:
- Look for areas where it is damaged. This can be peeling, blistering, or cracking paint, mildew, or rot.
- Scrape away loose paint.
- Brush the exterior to loosen debris and paint.
- Sand surfaces in areas where paint is chipped off to create a smooth surface.
- Replace any rotting wood siding if you have a wood exterior.
- Note any areas where you see mildew to deep clean during the next step.
- Use the scaffold or ladder safely, and make sure you assess your house from top to bottom.
#3: Clean the Exterior Thoroughly
Now it’s time to deep-clean the exterior of your house from top to bottom using a pressure washer. Remember to treat and scrub any areas with mildew and pass over them a second time with the water stream.
You want to be sure to work with the right pressure for the surface type and use the recommended angle for best results. Read the user’s manual for more information.
Before you move on to the subsequent steps, allow ample time for the house to dry thoroughly, generally at least 24-48 hours.
#4: Repair Any Damages
It’s tough to explain in detail how to repair damage, as it varies greatly depending on the material of your exterior. Generally, you can use caulk or wood filler for small cracks, but you will want to use patch repair kits for larger cracks or holes.
Regardless of the material, you want to repair all cracks, holes, rot, and degraded surfaces. We recommend caulking all trim to fill gaps. The goal is to ensure a smooth finish so that primer and paint will adhere well.
#5: Choose the Right Primer and Paint
Choosing the right paint and primer is crucial!
This decision should be based on the material of your home — wood, vinyl, stucco, etc.
Regarding primer:
- Choose a primer that’s compatible with both the old and new paint, as well as the material of your home’s exterior.
- Your primer may need to be a blockout primer if you’re changing your paint color from a darker to a lighter color.
Regarding paint:
- You want to choose high-quality exterior paint for your specific material.
- Quality exterior paint can be oil or latex-based, depending on what the old paint was. Stick with the same paint base.
- Choose a color that will improve your home’s energy efficiency based on the climate where you live.
#6: Protect Doors, Windows, Fixtures, and Landscaping
Use plastic coverings, painters tape, and drop cloths to keep everything covered, paint-free, and debris-free. Take the time to prepare each area where you will be prepping as you go along. You don’t want to create additional projects for yourself by skipping this step and getting debris and mess everywhere.
Best Practices for Preparing Different Exterior Surfaces
How to best prepare the exterior of your home for a fresh paint job depends a lot on the material of the house. Let’s look at specific tips for some of the most common home exteriors.
Wood:
- Inspect for rot, decay, and damage. Replace affected boards.
- Fill small holes or cracks with wood filler.
- Sand rough areas and areas with a lot of paint chipping.
- Thoroughly clean with a pressure washer.
- Treat any mildewed areas.
Vinyl:
- Thoroughly clean with a pressure washer and cleaning solution.
- Check for loose or damaged panels and repair or replace them as needed.
- Use a primer and paint that works well with vinyl.
Aluminum:
- Remove chalking with a power washer.
- Sand rusty areas.
- Use rust-inhibiting and bonding primer to ensure adhesion and lasting results.
Stucco:
- Brush debris and deep clean with a pressure washer.
- Use a stucco repair kit for any broken sections or large cracks.
- Use a primer specifically recommended for stucco.
How To Prep a House for Exterior Paint: Additional Tips To Consider
Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind as you embark on the process of preparing your house exterior for painting.
- Address mold and mildew by cleaning with a hydrogen peroxide solution or another commercial mildew remover. Scrub and rinse, and then allow to dry completely before continuing.
- Prime bare wood for a more durable finish using a high-quality exterior primer, and allow it to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Check the weather — avoid working in direct sunlight or high humidity, and be mindful of wind conditions.
- Dispose of paint chips and debris properly, especially if your home has had lead-based paint in the past.
- Remember to allow thorough drying for each step before moving on to the next for best results.
- Due to working on ladders and scaffolding, it’s recommended to do this work with another adult assisting or at home and checking in regularly for safety.
If this feels like it’s too much to take on, or you simply want a quote to find out how much the professionals charge for doing all the prep and painting, look no further than Two Brothers Painting, LLC in Portland.
Let the Professionals at Two Brothers Painting Take Care of Prepping and Painting Your Home’s Exterior
Two Brothers Painting is the best professional painting team in the Greater Portland area. Not only are we experts who are meticulous at what we do, but we also prioritize professional communication and value your time. We would love to schedule your consultation and deliver your quote. Once you are a customer, the emphasis on service does not stop there. We promise to address all your questions and concerns promptly.
Pablo, the president of Two Brothers Painting, guarantees the quality of all work done by the company. We pay attention to every detail, resulting in impeccable reviews and happy repeat customers. Your satisfaction is our biggest priority.
It can be hard to find good painters who also communicate well and prioritize top-notch, timely service. Two Brothers Painting is the painting company you will want to work with again and again. Reach out today to request a quote for all your interior and exterior painting needs.
