Exterior House Paint for a Major Upgrade

If your house has peeling paint or is looking faded, it’s time for a fresh coat. Exterior house paint adds curb appeal and protection to your home. While painting a whole house may seem like a daunting task, it can be tackled by an experienced homeowner willing to do a little hard work. Follow our guide to add a little more life and curb appeal with these tips and tricks.

Safety is the most important part of getting prepared for any project. If you’re not confident on ladders, then it’s best to reach out to a professional painter to get the job done. Ensure that you have a safe and secure ladder that will let you comfortably reach where you want to paint.

When scraping paint or spraying, it’s best to wear safety glasses and a respirator. Always wear clothes that you don’t mind getting painted. Disposable painting overalls can be worn over clothing. When working with any chemical like paint thinner, it’s best to wear gloves.

The easiest way to paint your house is to pick the same or similar color of paint to what you have now. This will require less prep work. It’s sometimes difficult to go from a dark color to a lighter one because that would require detailed priming. If you are unsure what color it is you have now and want something similar, you can use the Glidden color selector to see which paint option is best for your home. Make sure the paint color you select conforms to any HOA rules.

It's also important to note what kind of siding you have.

• Cedar: This type of siding is usually stained rather than painted. Stain is easy to maintain and may even increase the life of your cedar siding.
• Vinyl: Typically an acrylic-based-paint is needed.
• Metal or Fiber Cement: These types of siding often come pre-painted, so it’s best to research what the manufacturer recommends before painting.
• Other Wood siding such as lapped, tongue and groove, and board and batten may need an extra step of treatment to provide a water-seal or other protection. Acrylic or latex-based paints can be used.

First: check the weather. The best weather to paint in is between 50 and 85 degrees. This is to help the paint have the correct consistency, so it goes on smoothly and doesn’t dry too quickly in high temperatures. It’s also important not to paint on a rainy or humid day which slows drying time.

Start by trimming up your bushes to give you some clearance. Then, cover up all bushes close to your house with drop cloths. Be sure to also cover any A/C units or any other outdoor furniture you don’t want paint drips or chips on. You can use a pressure washer or a sponge and soapy water to wash any dirt or grime off the siding. If you have stubborn dirt, TSP can be added as a cleaner.

Before any painting can be done, peeling paint needs to be scraped away and old boards or wear and tear needs to be fixed.

• Using a a multi-tool, scrape off any loose paint. If you are not drastically changing the paint color, only the peeling paint needs to be scraped off. Anything still adhered to the siding won’t affect the new paint. A sander can be used to help cut down on scraping time and to smooth down any rough spots. Always wear a respirator when scraping or sanding paint.
• Use wood filler and caulk to fill in any gaps and cracks. Be sure to allow for expansion and contraction of siding.
• Hammer down any popped screws or nails and replace any rotting boards.

Before you paint, be sure to tape the windows and other fixtures like lighting with painter’s tape and plastic to prevent splatters. If you don’t want to have to paint your gutters or work around them, the downspouts can be temporarily removed. You can also remove house numbers or any wall art.

As a rule of thumb, it’s best to always prime before you paint (not needed if using a stain). Primer adheres paint to the surface and helps you use fewer coats of paint. Some primers are mildew resistant which is a great feature if you live in a wet or humid climate.

However, you need only to prime where you have scraped or sanded down to bare material. The spots where you still have old paint will function like primer if it isn’t a drastic color difference. Primer can be painted on using a brush or roller.

Now, it’s time to start painting! The easiest way to paint large areas is with a paint sprayer as you can make long, even strokes. However, a roller brush can be used as well. Be sure to paint with the grain and let the first coat dry before you add a second coat. If you are painting the trim a different color, it’s up to you to decide which would be better: cutting in after painting the siding or before.

After your second coat of paint, it’s important to clean quickly. Remove all painter’s tape before the paint dries completely to ensure smooth, crisp lines. Using a garden hose, wash off all brushes and rollers until the water runs clear. A paint comb can be used to remove any dried buildup of paint. If using a paint sprayer, water can be run through the system to clean out leftover paint.

Ready to get started? Your local McCoy’s have help you match your paint or help you find a new color. Not only that, but we can deliver everything to you—paint, brushes, a ladder, etc for FREE!