Exterior Home Painting Tips and Techniques

When it comes to painting the exteriors of your Toronto home, there are a few tips that can ensure you get a nice, even look. Painting your exteriors protects your home from rain, snow, and ice.

Many homeowners make the mistake of waiting for too long before commencing with a new paint job. As soon as you notice any blisters, peels, and cracks, it’s time to give the surface a new paint job. So, let’s take a look at a few exterior painting tips that will help you get a first-class finish on your home’s exterior.

• Wash the surface

Before you start painting the exteriors of your home, it’s necessary that you prepare the surface. This includes removing dirt, mildew, and broken-down paint from the surface. Many homeowners rue that their plants suffer damage during the painting process; however, you can easily prevent this by keeping them away from the work area.

You can use a pressure washer to clean the area, but ensure that you don’t cause any damage to the surroundings. If you aren’t really comfortable using a pressure washer, consider using a hose or pump sprayer. It’s advisable to wet the walls before you scrub them; after scrubbing, the walls should be washed with a solution of water and trisodium phosphate (TSP).

• Scrape the surface

Scraping the surface is an important aspect of preparing the surface for a new paint job. You can use a heating gun to expedite the process, but remember to use a respirator for your safety. It’s advisable that you use a tarp covering to prevent any damage to the plants and surrounding work area.

• Sand the surface

After you have removed the loose paint from the surface through scarping, it’s time to use a 50-grit sandpaper to smoothen the surface. You can use a random-orbit to ensure a seamless transition from wood to old paint. Again, it’s necessary that you protect yourself by using a dust mask.

• Patch and fill the surface

The next step in painting your home’s exterior is filling minor cracks and repairing any rots. You can use an epoxy to accomplish this, although for extensive replacement of wood siding, you might need to take the assistance of a carpenter.

• Prime the surface

Primers prepare the surface to receive a paint job and help in better penetration and sealing. You can choose between acrylic or oil-based coatings – for redwood or cedar surfaces, use the latter. Choosing a primer that’s a different color from your top coat helps in locating missed spots easily.

• Caulk small joints

After the primer has dried, caulk all small joints using a siliconized acrylic or urethane acrylic. Don’t skimp on the caulk as it can damage the surface.

• Give the surface a top coat

After caulking the surface, you can give the surface a top coat, usually an acrylic latex paint. There was a time when most homeowners used oil-based paints, but thanks to the superior features of the acrylic latexes, including resistance to blisters and environment-friendly properties. Another advantage of using acrylic latexes is that you can use it over both oil and water based primers.

You can use a paint sprayer or brush to apply the paint on the surface. There are some rules that you need to follow while you paint the surface – work from top to bottom and away from the sun’s glare. Also, two coats will ensure you paint lasts for a long time.

These were a few steps that will help DIY house painters in Toronto. We hope by following the information presented in this article, you’ll be able to achieve great results with your home’s exterior paint.

Todd Lacroix is a house and interior painting expert. He is the owner of Platinum Pro Painters and has years of experience in beautifying hundreds of homes in Calgary and Toronto.