How To Prepare For Painting

 In Painting Tips

The success of a painting job is very much dependent on the preparation phase. It is easy to think that you will just choose the paint, a few brushes and then you are good to go. But preparing your home for painting involves more than getting the right tools and materials. Here is how to prepare correctly for a painting job.

 

Preparing the working space

This involves moving furniture, trimming the vegetation, and placing protective covers in areas adjacent to the surface to be painted.

 

Cleaning the surface

This is the first and most important step as it gets rid of the dirt and other contaminants that have adhered to the surface. You can do conventional hand washing if you are preparing a small surface. But it would be easier to use a power washing machine to clean larger surfaces like exterior walls.

You have to inspect the surface for mould and mildew infestation. If infested, clean the area with an antiseptic to kill off the mould. Leave the surface to dry off completely.

 

Scraping

The next step is to scrape off the chopped and flaked paint on the surface. The aim of scraping is to get off as much of the old paint as possible. A standard paint scraper will adequately handle this task. You can ask for a helping hand in this tedious task.

 

Repairing rotten wood

If you are working on a wooden surface, it is important to inspect for rot. This is important as covering over the rot with paint will only allow the problem to spread underneath and compromise the integrity of your walls. Ask a carpenter to do a thorough inspection, removing and replacing rotten wood.

 

Caulking

Exterior walls and other surfaces exposed to the elements and traffic will often show signs of wear and tear with dents, dings and cracks. Caulking is done to make these surfaces even once again for a smoother painting surface. Ensure you caulk as many of these cracks and dents as possible, wipe off excess caulk and wait for it to dry.

 

Sanding

Sanding smoothens the surface and gets rid of any contaminants that were left on the surface during cleaning. It also levels the caulked surfaces. You can apply a sanding tool for large surfaces, or do hand sanding for manageable surfaces.

 

Applying the primer

Priming helps the topcoat adhere to the surface better. It also creates an air and moisture barrier. You should pick a priming material depending on the surface to paint. Oil-based primers work well on wood and smooth concrete. Acrylic primers work well on stucco and rough concrete.  Applying the primer makes your topcoat look smooth, even and vibrant.

Are you looking for professional painters? Contact Straight Edge Painting for the best exterior and interior painting results.

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