As you’re doing house painting in Pleasant Hill, the secrets to a successful painting job are proper preparation, proper tools, and good quality paints, stains, or primers formulated for a the right surface. The particular surface that we’re going to tackle in this article is wood siding.
Wood provides many of benefits to the homeowner who chooses to use it. It is the classic choice for every home for its natural and timeless aesthetic value. It is relatively easy and fast to install, which also helps to reduce installation costs. Since wood is readily available, it also less expensive than other options. Wood can be painted any color so if a homeowner would like to change the exterior of their home, it can be done.
If you choose wood or already have this as your home’s siding, you must know that painting it may be a bit different compared to other surfaces. Like other types of siding, wood also has disadvantages. It can be high-maintenance because it is prone to damage and needs to be painted or stained periodically. Plus, it is also prone to mold and mildew. Fire is also a concern so using intumescent paint will help make the wood siding fire-proof.
Remember that proper preparation means less effort and time in painting.
1. Clean the siding
A bucket of water and a regular laundry detergent will be enough to clean the siding. Wash and scrub the surface with the water and soap solution. Rinse the siding afterward to make sure no residual soap is left — even a little residue will affect the paint’s ability to adhere properly. A power washer will make cleaning the surface deeper, faster, and easier.
After cleaning and washing, allow the surface to dry completely before you begin painting.
2. Scrape peeling paint
If there’s any peeling or flaking in the original paint, scrape it off. Then smoothen it using fine grit sandpaper. Make sure the affected areas are free of any dust so that the paint will be able to adhere properly.
3. Fix any surface flaws
Paint will not stick well to a damaged surface. If you find any damage like cracks or nail holes, fill them with pre-mixed wood filler. Make sure that the filler you buy should be used for the exterior surface. Use acrylic gap sealant to fill the cracks or gaps around doors or windows. Make sure that the sealant you buy is paintable if you wish to paint these areas.
5. Prime the siding
It’s recommended to use a stain-blocking primer to prevent rust (from the nail heads, for instance) from bleeding through the topcoat. Priming also helps paint adhere to the surface better.
4. Finish with the top coat
When buying paint, make sure that they are exterior paint. Paints with a flat or satin finish are typically used for the main body of the house where only minor imperfections need to be painted. These types of finishes are also good because they are less reflective when hit by sunlight.
Paints with more gloss are ideal for door and window frames, as well as ledges and sashes.
Important note: Before you begin painting make sure that the weather is not too hot or too cold. Check the outdoor conditions and make sure that it is the right temperature before you go out to paint. Or begin painting before the sun goes up, or at a time toward sunset. The paint needs to dry at its own pace to ensure that it bonds to the surface the way it should.
As with other surfaces, wood siding needs to be prepped properly to ensure a good finish. Contact professional and licensed painters like Custom Painting, Inc. if you aren’t ready to tackle the job yourself. A professional understands the different surfaces that need house painting in Pleasant Hill as well as how to achieve the results you want.
