Exterior Painting Tips

May 17, 2010
By
paint roller dipped in paint tray

Imagine you're icing a really big cake...

Many home owners have painted their homes, but do they really know why the front porch floor peels every year?

Well, we don’t know all of the answers in all cases, but we do have abundant experience in a northern climate (Canada).  Our winters are brutal with freezing cold periods of -30 below, followed by wet and rainy periods, followed by bright and sunny summers!  It is a tough place to paint!

So, in our experience there are only two rules of thumb…..  1. Good Preparation and 2. Top quality paint/stain.

How to start my exterior paint job?

If you are starting an exterior paint job, there are two considerations.  One, do you decide to touch up/repair an area to match the rest of the good looking existing exterior?  Or Two, do you decide to change the colour/reface the surface of the exterior, either due to a new construction project, or because you are changing the look and feel of the building in its entirety?

Repairing and Touch-up exterior painting

When you are trying to repair and touch-up an exterior surface whether it be on the floor or on the side of the exterior of your home, consider first the sun exposure or lack there of….  Too much sun is one thing, and too little (ie. moisture) is another.

In a southern exposure, where sun is bright for most of the day, sun/heat are sure things to consider.  Scrape the area clean with a hand scraper, and fill any voids with spackle or wood compound and let dry.  Sand the areas well to the best possible original surface.  Wipe the area with a dry cotton rag, and then start applying a primer and paint, or a dual purpose primer and paint-in-one product.   If the surface has peeled in the past, then it will likely peel again, and an annual touch up will avoid the big jobs in the future.   If the job is in a poorly sunlit area, (and moisture is the problem), the same rules apply, but make sure to replace any rotten or wet wood before applying any paint.  Wet surfaces won’t accept a new paint/stain at all…consider replacing any non visible areas with a no-paint product such as prepared metal siding/concrete board or other surface.

Use wood Stain: Changing the look/new construction exterior painting

Never paint a wooden porch (floor and steps) that has a southern exposure!  Use a wood stain.  Stain will withstand the wear and tear of feet better than paint and will tend to dull in time rather than flake off like most porch floor paints.  Sun and feet don’t mix, that’s the rule.  We have tried porch paints, and unfortunately they don’t compare to stain!

Also, consider stain for any large area vertical wood surface such as wood siding, cedar shake, etc, and use a good exterior primer/paint for doors, window and other trim.  Stain will penetrate wood as well as any paint or better and will provide a great look with less maintenance down the road.  Many stains are paint like in appearance, just ask your local paint/stain supplier for advice and colour choices.

If paint is the best option in your case, then you must buy the best exterior paint possible.  Not only will top quality exterior paint save labour time (since it covers better), it will more importantly last longer than an inferior product.  No exposed exterior paint will last forever, so re-apply every few years to avoid the big jobs.

Young boy on painting ladder painting ceiling

Hiring kids to paint low ceilings is still a hit-and-miss affair

Exterior painting non-wood surfaces

When painting exterior Metal/Concrete etc, the same rules apply with buying the top-quality product and doing the best possible clean surface prep.  Good quality exterior paints, when applied to any clean surface last longer,  you really do get what you pay for with paint! Most top quality paints are made predominantly with a glue-like material and will adhere to all exterior surfaces.

Finally, safety first, don’t rush it, hire a contractor if you have difficult areas such as second floor soffits etc… we all try to save money when we can but some jobs are best left to professionals.

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19 Responses to Exterior Painting Tips

  1. Milestone on January 23, 2011 at 10:39 am

    Success in painting is like success in any way, it must be 80% planning or that is what you say “Good Preparation” and 20% execution. Top quality paint and stain must also be considered. Too much sun or too much moisture will gradually destroy your exterior painting. So, if in case you’re in Canada or anywhere else where its often snowing outside, you must hire the best exterior painting contractor.

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