One of the best ways to add curb appeal is a quality exterior paint job. A new coat of paint can transform the look of your home. It adds to the resale value and helps protect it from the elements. It isn’t hard to find exterior painting contractors in Atlanta who will do the work for you.
Whether you DIY or hire professionals, it’s a good idea to know what’s needed to prepare for exterior house painting in Atlanta.
Plan
Professional exterior painters always plan ahead because planning is important. Remember to include drying times in your planning. Watch the weather and choose a time when the forecast has no rain for several days and humidity will be low.
Decide on the color(s) and type of paint you want to use. If you’re changing the exterior color from light to dark or dark to light, you’ll need to use a good quality primer. If you’re applying a fresh coat of the existing color, you don’t need the primer. Regardless of the color you choose, make sure you buy quality paint. It may cost a little more initially, but it’s worth the difference in price. Better quality paint means you’ll get better coverage, and it will last longer.
Home exterior painting pros mix multiple cans of the same color paint into a larger container, usually a five-gallon paint bucket. This assures uniform color even if there’s a slight difference in the color in different cans.
Pre-Painting Prep
Moving all objects away from the house will make painting easier and faster. Move patio furniture and other objects away from the house. Drape canvas over anything you can’t move, such as shrubs and air conditioning units. Remove house numbers, exterior hardware, and shutters. Just remember, the shutters need to be painted too!
Clean Surfaces for Good Adherence
Remove dust, dirt, and debris from the exterior. A pressure washer is the best way to do this. Work from the top to the bottom of the house, overlapping strokes by 6 to 8 inches. Be sure and let the walls dry thoroughly.
Make Repairs
Note all cracks and holes, and then use an epoxy filler and spackle knife to fill them. Let the epoxy dry completely, then sand lightly with a medium-grit sanding block.
Remove Loose Paint
Use a paint scraper and medium-grit sanding block to remove any loose paint.
Caulk Trim
Use a caulk gun and exterior caulk to fill any gaps around windows and doors.
Paint the Exterior
Before you begin, cover any non-paintable surfaces within 20 feet, including grass and foliage. Protect doors, lights, and windows by covering them with plastic sheeting using painter’s tape.
For best results, use an airless paint sprayer with flat finish exterior paint, then back-roll it by hand for good adhesion. For exterior work, choose inexpensive quality roller covers you can dispose of at the end of each painting session. Paint from top to bottom.
If you’re using the existing color, apply one coat of paint to the entire house. If you’re changing colors, you’ll want to use two coats.
Paint Doors and Trim
Remove the protective plastic and apply two coats of exterior semi-gloss paint with a high-quality brush. Clean brushes well with a paint comb and water.
Painting the exterior of a house is a big job. If you don’t have the skills, proper tools, adequate time, or lots of stamina, it’s best to let professionals do the job. Having the exterior of your home professionally painted is an investment in maintaining the value of your home. Call a good exterior painting contractor in Atlanta.