House painting is likely high on your to-do list now that the cold weather is officially behind us. Preparing your home for the job is crucial—after all, a great exterior paint job is 80 percent prep and 20 percent painting. Skipping that step can lead to peeling, bubbling, and poor aesthetics for the season to come. Village Paint & Design can help. We’re sharing a helpful painting prep checklist here for you to use. Have questions or need supplies? Our Glendale shop is always one call away: 414-961-1144.
Start Your House Painting Prep With a Deep Clean
After a blustery fall, snowy winter, and rainy spring, your home may be caked in dirt, mold, mildew, and other residue. Your first task is to clean all that away so new paint can stick. Take a pressure washer and spray your home’s siding. Just be careful enough that you don’t gouge any wood or force water behind any fascia boards. You can also consider using specialized cleaners to kill mold spores that might have built up.
Deep-Clean Tools You May Need
- A pressure washer
- House wash concentrate
- Stiff scrub brushes
Next, Inspect and Scrape Away Failing Paint
Creating a smooth, stable surface is key to getting new paint to adhere to your house. Take a putty knife and gently scrape at your old paint to see if any has come loose over the off-season. If it has, remove it with a scraper designed for paint removal. Be sure you don’t damage your underlying siding in the process.
Inspection and Scraping Tools You May Need
- A putty knife
- Heavy-duty paint scrapers
- Replacement blades
- Safety goggles
Smooth Any Rough Edges
To help create that smooth and stable surface, blend the edges between the paint that is still intact and your house. That way, you won’t have ridges that show through. You can use coarse sandpaper to smooth and feather those rough edges. When you’re done, give everything a quick wipe-down to remove any sanding dust left behind.
Sanding and Smoothing Tools You May Need
- 80- and 120-grit sandpaper
- Sanding blocks
- Orbital sander
- Tack cloths
Repair Any Damage You See
The last thing you want is to trap moisture behind new paint. So, if you find cracks, holes, or gaps as you go along, fill them with exterior-grade filler. Also, keep an eye out for missing or cracked caulk around windows, doors, and trim—and fill those as well.
Repairment Tools You May Need
- Exterior patch
- Putty knives
- Exterior acrylic latex caulk
- Caulk gun
Finish Your House Painting Prep With Primer
To really ensure the topcoat of your upcoming exterior house paint project adheres, seal any bare spots and patch areas with primer. It will also help the colors match evenly.
Priming Tools You May Need
- Exterior primer (either oil-based or high-quality acrylic)
- High-quality paintbrushes
- Painter’s tape
Village Paint Has All Your Exterior Painting Needs
Proper paint prep takes time, but it can save you time, money, and headaches in the long run. And the best news: Our team has the tools you need to get your project done on time and on budget. Stop by our Glendale store today, call us at 414-961-1144, or contact us online to get started.
