Don't under estimate your ability, grab a paint brush this summer and get out there and paint your house. Over the years I've been tempted to pay someone to do the job but after getting their estimate I decided real quick to do it myself.
If you have vinyl siding painting the windows, trim and doors will give you a chance to be creative. You can design a color scheme by using colors that complement your homes exterior siding.
Below I will give you some pointers on how to go your project.
The time it will take to complete varies on your skill level, size of your home, how much help you have and how many coats you apply.
Beginners will take about 8 to 10 hours Intermediates will take about 7 to 8 hours Advanced will take about 6 to 7 hours
When painting trim always use a higher sheen than the exterior siding to help them stand out. Semi-gloss or gloss for windows, trim and doors will look best against a flat exterior.
Remember, oil-based paints may have local government restrictions check to see whether there are restrictions on using oil-based paints in your area. And always avoid breathing oil-based paint fumes for long periods of time.
The materials you will need is a good trim brush, tape, paint bucket, ladders, drop-cloth, mineral spirits for clean up, paint :-) and stir stick.
Note, you can match latex primer with latex topcoat, and oil-based primer with oil-based topcoat and it is possible to apply fresh latex topcoat over old oil-based topcoat if you sand the surface first, or use a dulling chemical agent.
A helpful tip is to mask off areas that are not going to be painted, such as siding , or porch surfaces under railings. For windows, mask off the glass in each pane when painting the dividers. If you don't take the time to mask off areas not being painted you will spend hours cleaning up the mess.
This is obvious but worth mentioning, never paint when it’s raining. If the surface is wet let it dry for 2-3 days .
Always apply a coat of primer to areas of bare wood; this includes new construction, repaired areas, or areas where you've removed the paint.
Nylon and polyester bristle brushes work best with latex paints. Natural bristles work best with oil-based. One thing that irritates me the most is getting bristles in the pant, so remove loose bristles out of a new brush before you begin painting with it.
Try not to paint in direct sun this will cause the paint from drying too quickly.
Always wait the number of hours before applying a second coat of paint. Usually eight hours will gives the first coat time to dry. And remember two layers of topcoat is usually preferred over one for all-out protection.
This can be a fun project for the entire family, so get out there and get it done. Good luck with your project.
Exterior Painting How To
If you've decided to paint your home yourself, lets consider what you'll require to get going.The first thing you'll need to do when painting an outside of a home is to power wash it. Be sure to apply a cleaning detergent that's developed just for power washing. Almost all power washers have got a chemical injectant device on it so you are able to apply the detergent directly to the surface area. Be sure while using a power washer not to apply too much pressure because this could harm the surface that you're cleaning.
Second, you'll want to determine how you would like to apply the paint to the surface area. There are three common techniques that you can use, roll, spray or brush. Unless you have extensive experience utilizing a airless sprayer I would suggest that you not use a airless sprayer. You may end up causing far more harm than good with a sprayer.
Next you'll need to be able to reach whatever surface you're painting so you'll require ladders, in all probability a extension ladder as well as a step ladder. You'll also want something to blanket your bushes and sidewalks so you will require a few tarpaulins or drop cloths. There are a few smaller tools that you'll require, a scraper, caulk gun, putty knife and naturally a good paint brush. If you don't have some of these items such as ladders or a pressure washer you are able to rent them at most local equipment leasing stores.
The most crucial thing to consider whenever you take on a task such as painting your home is safety. There is a lot of critical injuries and many deaths each year, which are caused by falls. Likewise, when moving ladders always be mindful of where your power cables are at because this is yet another safety risk you must always be aware of.
Lastly, you'll want somebody to assist you. It's a large-scale task and attempting to do it solo isn't advisable. Painting a home is a huge project for anybody to attempt and the more assistance you have the simpler it will make it.
If you do determine that you need to hire a professional painter, ask friends what companies they used to paint their home and determine if they were happy with the work their painter did. This is commonly the best technique for locating a great painter. If you have no luck with that you could turn to the web, telephone directory or your local Better Business Bureau for a preferred contractor.
Always acquire bids from three different painting companies, but make certain to compare each bid carefully. A lot of companies will be a great deal cheaper but apply cheap paint and cut corners wherever they can. Next, ask for proof of insurance including both general liability and workers compensation insurance. Ask for at least three references and be sure to check out all of them.
Lastly, whenever you didn't receive a reference from your local Better Business Bureau, call them and determine if the company you're considering has had any complaints.
Just remember to follow these few suggestions whenever you are attempting to repaint your home yourself or if you decide to hire a professional painting contractor.
Both Dennis Watson & Tim Evans are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dennis Watson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Balanced Diet, Types of Cancer and Debts Loans. Dennis Watson - Just helping others succeed.Zeoh.com Free Classifieds Web Site =>You Can Do That Web Blog =>. Dennis Watson's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
Tim Evans has sinced written about articles on various topics from Kitchen Home Improvement, Painting and Install Flooring. The author is the owner of Mountain Brook Painting in Mountain Brook, Alabama and has over twenty five years experience as a professional painting contractor. For more information visit. Tim Evans's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
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