Painting your own house can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Anyone with the right tools and knowledge of some simple painting techniques can create a professional-looking paint job on their home.
This article provides you with 7 easy DIY house painting tips for painting like a professional so that you too can make your home look magnificent! Better yet you can also get professional help like the ones offered by Houston Texas Painters, cypress tx.
So how do you start?
1. Cleaning
Using a pressure washer on the exterior of your home can remove any dirt or mildew that may have built up over time. The power wash should not damage paint, but you will want to cover all other surfaces with tarps and plastic sheeting if needed.
2. Preparation
Prep your home by removing any decorative hardware from the walls and covering any outdoor furniture nearby. Fill holes or dents using spackle, and allow it to dry overnight. Then use sandpaper or an electric sander to smooth out bumps to get a perfectly primed surface. Sanding also creates a great texture that adds depth when painting over later. Make sure that all surfaces are smooth; the paint adheres better!
3. Tools & Equipment
Organize any ladders, scaffolding, or aerial platforms needed. Make sure you have all of your tools ready before beginning: brushes (rollers), roller covers for texture/smooth rolling, drop cloths, and painter’s tape.
Have at least two sizes of paint rollers as well as several different sized high-quality bristle brushes/paint pads handy too! Use a quality brush for trim work; foam brushes are just fine, but an angled short-handled “cut in” brush is best for getting into corners and around windows where space is limited.
After painting, you should always clean paint brushes and rollers used with oil-based paints in cleaning solvent; let them soak for a few minutes.
4. Weatherproofing
This is something you will need to do ahead of time if painting the exterior, especially wood siding. If you don’t treat the bare wood with a sealant or primer, it can absorb moisture from humid air and cause peeling, chipping, or bubbling paint later on down the road!
5. Priming & Painting
Roll on a thin coat of primer; this will allow you to see any bumps or dents to apply thinner coats of paint for an even finish. Allow that to dry before applying another layer of primer if needed.
When painting over existing painted walls with a new color, go lighter than your desired shade because it is nearly impossible to lighten up colors later since they are oil-based paints. Keep in mind that darker shades may require more coats which can make things messy! So don’t try anything extremely drastic like black unless you want lots of extra work cleaning up drips etc. It’s easier starting light rather than going too dark!
6. Painting Sequence
Experts advise painting any roof trim first, then the eaves, and gradually working down from the roof to lower areas of the house. It avoids any issues with dripping! If you hire scaffolding or an access platform, it makes sense to do all the high areas first, then you can return the hired equipment sooner.
7. Using a Paint Sprayer
When painting uneven exterior surfaces like stucco, brick, or masonry, it’s best to use a paint sprayer because they cover much more area in less time than traditional roller brushes do. You can use a paint sprayer on any surface! Just make sure you apply some heavy-duty primer first (most paints require at least two coats). If using one indoors, always follow the instructions for proper ventilation.
These DIY house painting tips will go a long way towards helping you paint the exterior of your home and get impressive results! Are you ready to get started?