Is surface preparation really all that important? In addition to our other exterior painting tips in Austin TX, we will discuss in this article why preparing your surfaces should be your main focus in a painting project.
When painting exterior surfaces, even the professionals have to consider more than what just meets the eye. Behind the best paint jobs are hours spent on prepping the surfaces through priming and sanding. So choosing the best painting materials is crucial for the paint job. Skipping the preparation phase is definitely unadvisable, unless you want to have your walls cracking and peeling in just a few months!
Prevention is Better Than Cure
There are many methods of protecting a home from external elements. Doing them now would help you avoid any painting problems in the future. Caulk is enough to keep ice and rain from damaging your exterior surface. Metal flashing is an ideal defense, especially for fascia boards. Ideally, this metal shield channels rain or melted snow to the gutters.
Flashing on your doors and windows is also known as a drip edge. It prevents water and other elements from coming into your home through joints in the construction. So if water leaks in, you’ll know because your paint will show it. Sometimes, it might even peel, lose color, or blister. This buildup can encourage mildew and bold to grow. If your surfaces before painting already show signs of this, you need to quickly address the problem. First, repair the leak to ensure that no water and moisture will gather on your walls. Second, eliminate the mold and mildew with a strong cleaner to reach deep into its roots. If you let the mold grow too long, you’ll end up destroying your concrete before you know it.
How to Prepare Exterior Surfaces
Paint on an exterior surface can lead to chalk deposits. Luckily, pressure washing can remove these deposits. The fundamental principle is that if a surface is not clean, then it is not ready for painting. If the home’s exterior has stained sidings, you would need to take a different tactic. However, pressure washing is still the most ideal option.
Sanding and scraping are the best ways to remove old paint off any surface. However, you can get creative and use a wire brush and power drill with paint stripping made of wire to work with rough wood such as sawn cedar. It can be tiring, but nevertheless is important to proceed in the painting work.
As a note of caution, house built before 1978 might contain lead paints. You should be careful with sanding and scraping such exterior walls as lead paint chips and the dust can cause many health issues. Wear the proper safety equipment together with a mask.
Your exterior surface painting project also needs to be caulked, masked, and primed. It is best to avoid cutting corners regarding the cost when selecting the best materials. When you’re done with all these steps, it is now time to paint! With that said, choosing the right paint, and applying the right painting techniques are some basic ingredients for a proper exterior surface paint job.
Well-Prepared Exterior surfaces Become Well-Painted Surfaces
If you are looking for the services of a professional, exterior preparation must be a part of the project outline. Many specialists can fix damaged surfaces, saving you the trouble of finding the right firm to do the job.