What Not to DoWhen House Painting

A paint job that ends in failure is often a result of a poor decision. This article, we will caution you against making a few common mistakes when painting your own home.

Pay Less Now, Pay more Later

Here is why you should put back the paint can that you just picked up from the bargain bin:

• Application will be much more difficult
• The resulting poor appearance after application is not worth the few dollars you saved on paint.
• Top quality paint will be much more durable

Cheap paint will ensure that you will be back on the ladder years earlier, repainting. Cheap exterior paints are even more bad news. Go for a 100% acrylic latex coating.

Do the Right Prep Thing –

Doing inadequate surface preparation is another mistake to avoid.Preparing surfaces properly means:

For Exterior Painting Jobs

• Removing loose paint by scraping and sanding
• Unpainted surfaces will require priming
• Dirt and mildew will need to go

For Interior Painting Jobs

• Walls and woodwork will need washing
• A caulk/spackle needs to correct any surface imperfections
• A primer will be needed to conceal stains

If you don’t have the skills or patience to patch or repair your wood surfaces or stucco properly, then I recommend hiring a good painter or handyman, if even just for the prep. Poorly repaired stucco is an eye soar for years to come, besides hurting your resale price, when the time comes. Do sweat the small stuff! It will only improve the chances for an excellent, flawless paint job.

The Season to Paint and Be Merry

Today’s latex paints are usually quick drying. Usually 30 minutes to the touch, re-coat with in a few hours. If you get rain in the middle of your job, walls painted flat might not show any signs after the clouds disappear, but painted trim with semi-gloss finishes are different. Oil-based paints used on metal railing for example should not receive any water drops for a few days. These take longer for the paint to cure (dry to its hardest state). If rain is in the forecast, stick to prepping, priming or maybe a first coat at most. Once the rain starts, I would suggest packing it in and taking the rest of the day off, or running to the paint store again.

 

In extreme heat, paints can be difficult to work with because they dry too quickly and leave poor textures, especially on trim work. There are paint additives that help with this. Some painters will add water, but this can also decrease the quality of your “top-of –the- line” that you purchase.   Try to avoid working in the direct sunlight when it’s too hot.

Having Second Thought – Hire a Pro

Does it all seem overwhelming? Painting a bedroom or a bathroom is one thing, but painting your entire exterior can take up your entire summer vacation. Talk to professional painters. Find one that was recommended and that you can communicate with.   Do your homework, feel comfortable about who you hire, than go inside and relax.   (Or you can always ask your teenage son to do it with his buddies’….on second thought.)

To summarize, your no-mistake checklist:

• Good quality paint
• Well-prepared painting surfaces
• Wait for goodweather
• Hire a good painting company to do the job professionally

To find out about how many paint estimates are good enough, read this article.