In order for the best possible result to be achieved in your exterior house painting in San Ramon, there are preparations that need to be made. If you want a great exterior paint job, try following these five important steps.
- Wash the entire outside of the house. You may want to use a pressure washer, which will both speed up the process and make it more likely that you will get a good, clean surface. Using a mixture of bleach and TSP (trisodium phosphate) will get your walls clean, as well as killing and removing any mold or mildew that may be present. The combination will also help prevent mold and mildew from growing in the future. Take your time with this step to be sure all dirt, grease, and other such substances are removed completely. Then let it dry, especially if the underlying material is wood, which will absorb some of the water.
- Scrape or sand, especially where paint is peeling. Removing old, peeling paint is crucial, since painting over it will result in having the new paint peel off with the old. While it takes time to scrape off all the old paint, you will be glad you did! Sanding is another way to remove old paint, and it also serves the purpose of roughing up the wall a bit which will help the new paint to adhere better. Be sure to remove all the dust from sanding when you are finished, even if this means re-washing the walls and once again allowing them to dry completely.
- Caulk any cracks, holes, or edges. Check window frames and trim, door frames and trim, and any edges where cracks could have developed that may not be easily noticeable. Caulk these completely, smooth, and let dry. Some kinds of caulk may need to be sanded before painting; check the instructions on the caulking tube.
- Mask. This is a term with two meanings. One of them should be done before the second point – wearing a mask yourself to protect your lungs from the dust and scrapings while you prepare the walls. The other, more common one is to tape off the trim, windows, and accessories that you do not want to paint.
- Prime the walls with a good quality primer. While it may not always be necessary to use primer, it certainly cannot hurt. A good primer will help to seal the walls and will always improve the adherence of the topcoat of paint. It also eases the transition when changing the color of the home.
If you want to end up with a great exterior paint job when house painting in San Ramon, following the steps that were laid out above is a good place to start.
