With summer just around the corner, many homeowners will be looking to get outside and refresh their outdoor spaces. The easiest way to do this is often to repaint faded, cracked or flaked areas. Unfortunately, exterior painting can come with a few challenges, and there are some extra things to consider. We have put together these exterior painting tips so you can achieve beautiful, long-lasting results that you can enjoy not just this summer, but for many summers to come.
Waterproof protection
When it comes to exterior decorating, the main factor that is different from interior decorating is the consideration of the elements. Exterior areas get pummeled by rain, baked by the sun, they have to endure dampness and being blasted by particles carried by the wind. This is especially true in wetter climates in coastal and highland areas. The tough conditions that exterior surfaces must endure require specially developed products that have been formulated to provide good weather protection.
Most exterior paints will be described as ‘weatherproof’ or ‘weather resistant’ however these are vague phrases that often don’t translate into meaningful protection. What you should look for are products that are clearly designated as not just waterproof but also water repellent. This is an especially important property for masonry paint.
Masonry paints are applied to the exterior walls of houses and protect the bricks from eroding. If non-waterproof paint is used, the exterior walls can be left susceptible to water absorption which can leach through into the internal walls of the house, causing damp. Read the wording used by paint manufacturers carefully and choose ones that provide strong protection.
Weather conditions
Aside from the weather protection that the paint you are using provides, the weather can also have a big impact on the application process. You can paint interior surfaces all year round without a care
in the world, but when it comes to painting outside it’s a different story!
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There are a number of things to check before you decide to do some exterior painting;
- Rain – check the forecast to see if it is likely to rain while you are completing your project. If it rains before your paint is dry, your hard work will go to waste. In order to apply two coats of paint and allow them to dry completely, you are likely going to need at least a full day of dry weather.
- Sunlight – do not paint exterior surfaces in direct sunlight. Not only can it dry certain areas quicker than others but it can also impact your ability to see the finish you are achieving. Once the paint dries, only then may you see you have missed certain sections or that the paint has been applied unevenly. Strong sun can cause the paint to bubble and crack whilst drying which will ruin your finish.
- Temperatures – the type of paint you are using will determine what temperatures you can paint at. With a water-based paint, temperatures must be higher than 5°C as temperatures below this will prevent the paint from drying. With oil-based paints, these can often be applied up to 0°C, but always check the instructions of the paint you are using before you start!
Colours
The colour you opt for is the next consideration. The size of the outdoor area you have, the style of property & the light you get will all have an impact on what look a colour will achieve. In enclosed spaces try to use a lighter shade, as surfaces won’t get lots of light, making them appear darker than they actually are.
When it comes to painting exterior walls, one of the most common colour schemes to go for is white & grey. This generally suits any property, with the white exterior walls creating a wonderfully bright & clean look, with the darker grey tones creating contrast. If you have a garden wall that gets hit by a lot of dust or sprayed with dirty water you might want to go for grey to hide the dirt.
If you are looking to add a bit of colour to your outdoor space, there are tonnes of options. If you aren’t willing to go the full hog and paint your house in a pastel shade, you can transform some of your garden furniture or garden walls to bring a bit of colour to the space.
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A really good tip is to buy a quality multi-surface paint that can be mixed in a colour of your choice like Zinsser Allcoat. Multi-surface paints like this can be applied to any exterior surface, such as wood, masonry & metal, allowing you to transform anything you want. You will be able to use the paint on a multitude of different projects without having to buy an endless number of different specialty paints in specific colors. Plus, it doesn’t need a primer which will save you a lot of time which is particularly important if you aren’t going to get a long rain free spell for drying between coats.
Preparation
Preparation, preparation, preparation! I know we say this in nearly every article we write but good preparation really is essential to a good finish. More importantly, if you don’t do your preparation correctly your paint job will not last.
We know it can be tempting to rush straight to the painting and save yourself time but putting in the effort when it comes to preparing the surface ready to paint can pay big in the long-run. Make sure you thoroughly clean down the exterior surface before painting, as they can accumulate dirt & green growth over time.
Scrape off any loose or flaking paint. If you paint over it the flakes will just reappear in your new coat of paint in short order. Sand the edges of the scraped areas carefully to smooth out any differences in height between the bare scraped areas and the surrounding painted surface. If you are painting wood then make sure the surface is smooth. Sand it down to even the grain and remove rough patches or splintering. After sanding wipe the area down with a damp cloth to remove dust before you paint over the area.
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It is also important to fill any surfaces that have been damaged before you start painting. Any cracks or holes can allow moisture to get behind the paint film, so filling these defects can help your paint stay watertight. Make sure that you give the filler enough time to dry before painting over it. If you are filling a rough surface then a patch of flat filler can look odd – use a damp cloth to dab the filler to give it an uneven surface. Once painted it will blend right in.
Final Thoughts
Like any decorating project, being armed with the knowledge you need before you start is essential for getting results that you can be proud of. It is also important to invest in the best quality materials you can, as this can be the difference between you having to get your paintbrush back out after 1 year or 10 years. We hope this guide has been helpful and we wish you the best of luck!
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