The Exterior Painting Guide: Preparing Your Home Exterior for Painting

Repainting your home's exterior is a must for maintaining its appeal and protection. However, without proper preparation repainting your home can quickly turn into a disaster. Here's your comprehensive guide on prepping various exterior surfaces for painting:

Get Started With General Preparations:

‍Before diving into surface-specific preps, help your contractors by clearing the area around your house. Move outdoor furniture, grills, and trash cans. The rest is up to us! From there its best practice to protect exterior outlets and water fixtures with drop cloths and painter's tape where possible. Trim back landscaping and cover it with drop cloths to prevent paint splatter.

How to Prepare Your Home Siding Exterior for Painting:

I bet you didn't know that different siding materials require tailored preparation methods? Well guess what they do! Depending on the type of siding your home will need to prepared differently so that the paint can set properly. For example here are some siding options that require unique preparations:

Masonite Siding:

‍Start by power washing the siding and allowing it to dry for 3-5 days. Remove any peeling paint with a putty knife, then mask off areas not to be painted. Prime with a stain-blocking primer, followed by caulking and two coats of paint.

Aluminum Siding:

‍Inspect for mildew or loose paint. Clean with a cleaning solution, pressure washer, or orbital sander. Prime with acrylic primer and topcoat with acrylic paint for durability.

Vinyl Siding:

‍Clean thoroughly and choose a paint containing urethane resins and acrylics to accommodate vinyl's expansion and contraction. Apply primer, then two coats of paint.

Brick:

‍Wash with soapy water and a wire brush, addressing any cracks. Apply acrylic paint or brick stain directly to the surface for a fresh look.

Stucco:

‍Clean the surface, inspect for cracks, and patch with acrylic caulk or stucco patch. Repair gutter leaks and caulk around windows and doors. Apply multiple coats of flat acrylic latex paint for a smooth finish.

To Conclude:

‍Preparing your home's exterior for painting is a crucial step in ensuring a successful exterior renovation. By taking these tips into consideration for different surfaces, you can achieve a stunning transformation.

PS - If the project seems daunting, our professional team at Kennedy Coatings is ready to assist, ensuring a swift and efficient completion. Don't hesitate to update your home's exterior and rejuvenate its curb appeal effortlessly!

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