How To Paint Exterior Walls

One way to transform the look of the exterior of your house is by painting outside walls. You can effectively change the paint colors to get that perfect cohesive look. However, it is not simply about taking up your brushes and rollers and starting to paint. You need to know how to paint exterior walls professionally.

This post will give you pro tips on how to paint exterior walls. You can learn about the success factors for well-painted exterior walls, choice of painting supplies, and surface preparation tips. This article also discusses when to remove all exterior paint before repainting and external painting services of painting companies. Read on for more!

How to Paint the Exterior of Your House Walls

You can read on for an easy guide that you can follow for painting an exterior wall.

Success factors for painted exterior walls

It would be best to make proper plans before painting exterior walls. For example, you need to know your budget and how many coats of paint you need for a long-lasting finish. Apart from the basics, it would be best if you also considered the following success factors for well-painted exterior walls:

• Choose a time when the weather conditions for painting external walls are excellent.
• An excellent ambient temperature is above 5°C.
• There should be no risk of rain during application or drying times.
• It would be best to avoid painting when the sun is in full bloom.
• Paint surfaces should not be already warm. Otherwise, the drying of the paint will be affected.

Estimating the quantity of paint needed

Here’s a house painting tip for estimating the amount of paint needed for painting house exteriors.

• First, get the width and height measurements of your entire home.
• Then, deduct the measurements for your windows and doors.
• This will give you a net figure for the correct paint quantity.
• Different paint products have the level of coverage that they offer. Some textured Masonry paints usually have a coverage of 12m2/L.

Choice of painting supplies

Some people wonder: “Should I paint my house with big brushes or use smaller brushes and roller-accessible areas?” read on for an answer to this and other painting tool questions.

Using paint brushes

A pro tip is to use a brush for general exterior surfaces such as siding and trim. In addition, you can use a roller on large flat surfaces such as plywood paneling and drywalls. Using a paintbrush to apply the paint has its advantages.

The paint works into surfaces such as wood in a way that using a roller will not. In addition, paints rolled over smooth surfaces tend to peel easier than those worked with a brush. You can use a regular-sized brush and a smaller one. The smaller one can be used to paint areas that need edging.

Using rollers

Using rollers to paint exterior surfaces makes better sense. This is true when painting cement blocks, Cedar Shake siding, large soffits, and vertical barn sidings. Rollers are also great for painting over already painted areas. You can also use them to paint brick walls and interior room walls.

Using air sprayers

Air spraying is another option for applying the paint. It has its own distinct advantages compared to paint brushing. Using a spray application is time-saving. You can use that time to apply tape masks and brown paper. After all, you need to keep sprays off doors and window frames, especially if you want to paint them in a different color.

You can use an air sprayer to paint outside walls and trim surfaces. However, it is vital that you fully and properly prep the paint walls before applying the paint. This will help you to achieve a uniformly looking painting job.

Surface preparation tips before painting

It would be best if you prepared exterior walls for painting properly. This is true for brick or cement block walls. You can use the following top tips for surface preparation:

• First, ensure a clean, dry, and dirt-free exterior surface. Therefore, you should brush down the surfaces and remove loose materials.
• Be sure to remove previously flaking paintwork from previously painted exterior walls.
• It is vital to fill holes and repair cracks before actually painting. You can use exterior grade filler for this.
• If you have mold growth or stubborn stains, you may need a professional cleaner to treat it. They may use real home pressure washers to provide thorough cleaning.

Washing the walls

One way of cleaning exterior walls before painting is to wash them. To treat mold and algae patches, you may wash exterior walls with a fungicidal wash. Washing the walls also helps in removing flaking paint from your exterior walls.

Apply wall primer coating

Your next step to paint exterior walls is to apply wall primer to the already smooth surfaces:

• Add a proportionate volume of clean water to Intelligent Masonry Paint, depending on the porosity of your substrate surfaces, and stir thoroughly.
• It is important to use even strokes as you prime exterior walls. This will help you achieve smooth coverage.
• Wait for up to four hours for the primer coat to dry. Note that you will likely need two full, fresh coats of paint.
• Next, you can apply the first coat of Masonry paint. Do not water it down before painting.
• Again, you should wait up to four hours before applying the second Masonry paint coat.

Types of primers for exterior painting

Two things that determine your choice of primer are the paint type you will be using and the condition of your surfaces. You can either choose to use an oil-based primer or a water-based primer. Both choices can help provide a long-lasting finish to exterior walls. Likewise, they tend to be able to withstand harsh weather conditions.

Painting exterior walls with masonry paints

It is always best to paint an exterior wall with the right paint to achieve the perfect finish. Textured masonry paints are great for painting an outer brick wall or simply refreshing existing outdoor paintings.

For instance, you may use a Little Greene-colored water-based exterior masonry paint to produce a smooth matt finish on your home’s exterior walls. Of course, this is best on brick or stone walls and will likely last a minimum of 15 years before you need to repaint.

When to Remove Exterior Paint Before Repainting

While you do not categorically need to remove all exterior painting before repainting, there are situations when it is necessary:

• Peeling or flaking old paint needs to be removed entirely. New paint tends to adhere less to uneven surfaces.
• Old paints with high gloss or semi-gloss finishes are best entirely removed. This will help the fresh paint adhere more easily.
• It is also essential to remove old lead-based paints. They can be toxic to humans. Be sure to use a qualified painting professional to remove lead-based paints.

Pro Tips for Painting the Exterior of Your House

It can seem like a colossal task to paint your home’s exterior. However, it can become more manageable if you have an easy guide.

• You can make use of the following top tips for your exterior painting project:
• Use a suitably sized, high-quality brush. This will help you achieve the ideal finish.
• Use a roller that has an extended nap length to paint textured surfaces.
• Your final brush strokes should be in the same direction. You can use a top-to-bottom approach
• Do not paint over paint that has already started drying. You will disrupt the paint finish.
• First, wash new brushes in clean water and dry them with a clean cloth to condition them.
• Refrain from immersing your brush too deeply into the paint. Otherwise, paint will get into the ferrule.
• Avoid overloading your brush so you get less drips and splashes.
• Give up to four hours between each coat of paint so the paint can fully dry.
• You can paint the exterior walls with interesting green tones matching the natural surroundings. This can give more personality to your outside space.
• Alternatively, choose a neutral paint palette to match your inside colors seamlessly. It may match the colors of your window frames more appropriately.

Exterior Painting Services of Painting Companies

There are distinct advantages to using a professional painter for your painting project. Here are some services of painting companies that can be very helpful.

• You can rely on them for color consultation. They can provide you with color cards and assist you with color matching.
• They are well versed in the types of paints and paint finishes and their advantages. For instance, they can advise you to opt for an exterior eggshell finish.
• They have the right equipment for your exterior painting job. This includes dust sheets and extension poles. Pile rollers, masking tapes, and scrubbing brushes.

Get Help from Professional Painting Contractors

After reading this complete guide on painting exterior walls, you should better understand how to go about it. While painting can be fun for some people, many find it tasking.

Besides, doing a DIY job runs the risk of getting a less-than-professional result. For these reasons, you should hire an expert painting contractor for exterior house paint jobs. They can do a paint job that will be durable and professional-looking.