Get a Smoother Finish and Avoid Peeling With These Exterior Painting Tips

Your home’s curb appeal is sometimes dependent on how well your exterior paint holds up. That’s why it’s important to leave exterior painting jobs to the pros. Going the DIY route could result in an uneven look, chipped paint and peeling. Here are ways your contractor avoids peeling:

Chooses the Right Paint

The first step of beautiful exterior painting is finding the right paint for the job. You should only use paint that is designed for exterior surfaces, not standard interior paint. Additionally, the pro must match the formula’s makeup to the existing layers of exterior paint.  

Preps the Surface

The next essential step of a quality paint job is to thoroughly prep the surface. For an exterior area, your contractor will clean the surface to remove any buildup of dirt, grime or other material so the paint can be applied evenly. Any old peeling paint must also be completely removed.

Checks the Temperature

Next, exterior paint should only be applied when the temperature is right. The ideal temperature for exterior paint application is 50 degrees or higher. Painting pros may opt to reschedule exterior paint jobs for the spring and summer and avoid winter work. If the paint is applied in cold temperatures, the end result may be a peeling, chipped mess.

Maintains the Exterior

Finally, the last piece of a successful paint job on your home’s exterior is proper maintenance. After the contractor finishes up their work, it’s up to the homeowner to take care of their home’s exterior. You can do this by regularly power washing your home to keep dirt from the elements from infiltrating the layer of paint. Additionally, keep your gutters and downspouts cleaned and free of clogs to avoid potential water damage.   

A fresh coat of exterior painting can give your home a new look. Make sure your contractor is following these steps to keep your new paint job from peeling.