General House Painting Tips
Many people believe that when it's time to consider giving your house a new paint job, the only option is to enlist the services of a professional. What they don't realize is, by learning a few painting tips, they can tackle this project on their own. By taking some time to know exactly what to expect, you can increase your chances of success considerably.
Planning
The first thing you need to do is decide whether the condition of your house requires only touch up work or an entire repainting. If you notice several areas of peeling or chipping paint, you may be better off painting the whole house. The next thing you want to do is gather the supplies you will need for the job. Consult the professionals at your local paint store. Tell them what you want to do and they can get you pointed in the right direction, and possibly give you some painting tips as well.
Preparation
Once you have the things you need for the job, you'll need to begin preparing the surface. No matter what you're painting, properly preparing the surface to be painted is the key to success. First you'll want to remove whatever items you can than you don't want painted. Any light fixtures, flag pole holders, decorations and other items that can be removed should be at this time.
Anyone you ask for painting tips will tell you that if you don't prepare the area properly, your chances of getting a professional looking finish are greatly reduced. Inspect the surface for any damage or imperfections. Repair or replace any pieces of siding that are broken or water damaged. Fill in any holes or gouges in wood with wood filler.
Cleaning is just as important as repair, when you are preparing to paint. Any mold, mildew, dirt, and other debris should be thoroughly cleaned from the surface. There are various products available at your local paint store that can accomplish this.
Prime And Paint
No list of house painting tips would be complete without mentioning the importance of primer. Priming the surface will allow the paint to adhere better and last longer. You will also get better paint coverage with the use of primer. Primer usually comes in oil-based or water-based. The type you use will depend on the type of material to be painted.
After the surface is primed, it's time to apply the paint. You can apply the paint by any number of methods. Brushes, rollers, and sprayers are the most common; each can be made easier by following a few basic painting tips. When brush painting on siding, use long even strokes that run horizontally across the siding. If you are using a roller, the most important thing to remember is not to apply too much pressure, causing the roller to slide. Brushes and rollers have begun to take a back seat to sprayers, due to the time saving they provide. They too, however, can create their own set of challenges.
You'll need more than these basic painting tips if you want to be a professional, but they should be enough to get you started and allow you to tackle your house painting project on your own.
