When you are preparing for house painting in San Ramon, one thing you want to avoid is having to repaint it very soon. You want to pay attention to some things to help the paint job last longer before it needs to be repainted.

Don’t forget to prep!

Proper preparation of the surfaces before painting is a proven way to make the paint last longer.

If you’re doing the paint job yourself, prepare the walls properly – don’t skip this step! Follow these procedures below:

1. Clean the surface. Your topcoat won’t adhere properly to old, peeling paint or dirty surface. Wash and scrape rough spots with sandpaper.
2. Repair the surface. Fill cracks and nail holes with a spackle or joint compound and sand the excess until it is flush with the surface.
3. Tape the trim. Use painter’s tape to cover the trim that can help you paint in clean, crisp lines.
4. Be sure to caulk gaping joints or cracks. You can caulk before or after painting, depending on the caulk lines. (More details on this later)
5. Prime the surface. Use a high-quality primer, which will extend the life of your finishing paint by three to five years. A primer helps improve paint adhesion and smooth imperfections and reduce the likelihood of common paint problems such as chipping, cracking, and flaking.

Why should you use a primer?

While priming is not always necessary, a primer made for the surface and the paint you use will go a long way toward helping your paint job last a long time. Primers seal the surface and will count as a coat of paint if you choose a color that complements or matches the color you intend to use on the wall. Using a tinted primer will make the job much easier, as it helps better hide imperfections the moment you paint the walls. It will give the finishing paint a more solid finish.

Before priming, be sure the surface is dry and not too hot or cold. If you are painting wood, make sure it has not been exposed to sunlight for too long – if it has, you will want to sand it or wash it before painting.

Additional tips

1. If the weather is too humid, the paint will not set correctly, resulting in a paint job that doesn’t last as long. If outdoor walls made of wood are installed on the foam or foil insulating boards directly, any moisture that gets in between will exit through the wood, causing the paint to flake or come off. Spacer strips called furring can keep this from being a problem.
2. Another thing that can be a problem for wood is the “mill glaze.” This refers to wood that, during processing, developed a hard resinous glaze on the surface. The glaze could prevent the paint from adhering to the surface properly, so you must get rid of it by sanding or power washing.
3. Wood rot is another problem. If the wood underneath the paint has begun to rot, the paint will not set properly, either. Repair any damaged areas before painting.
4. Painting interior spaces can be problematic with insufficient ventilation. So, make sure you have plenty of proper ventilation to help the paint to dry thoroughly. A nice, smooth finish will help protect the whole paint job.

Caulking – why is it important?

Caulking is a large part of home maintenance. It helps seal the cracks and gaps that allow outside air and water to enter your home. Caulking correctly can help prevent moisture damage to your walls.

If you live in colder areas or during the cold season, drafts may enter your home through gaps and cracks. The colder your room feels, the more frequently you’ll use your home’s heating system. Caulking the problem areas of your home can help reduce energy consumption.

Applying caulk is a relatively simple process and can be done with a caulk tube or gun. But there are various types of caulk, so it’s essential to choose the right caulk for a specific job. For instance, silicone caulk is waterproof and mold-resistant, usually applied in kitchens and bathrooms.

Should you caulk before or after painting?

This question does not have a “one-size-fits-all” answer. It depends.

In general, caulk is applied before painting if the caulk lines around doors, windows, and baseboards will be noticeable after the paint job is complete. However, caulk can also be applied after painting if the caulk line is hidden by trim or molding.

So, the next time you’re getting ready for a painting project, take your time to consider whether you should apply caulk before or after painting.

Use the right type of paint.

You’ll want to use high-quality paint to protect your home’s surfaces and beautify them.

If there’s one thing you should avoid when choosing paints, don’t use the old products. If paints have been stored for many years, they may have lost their quality and integrity.

Take time for some research, and be sure you have good-quality paint to ensure the job lasts as long as possible. Some things to check on a stored can of paint before using it include its smell (does it smell like paint?), drying time (use a test area), and thickness. If all of these match fresh paint, you can probably use it easily. Do remember, though, that colored paint will be difficult to match if you run out and need to buy more; all paint of a specific color you need should be purchased at the same time.

To ensure your paint job will last longer, use acrylic latex paint for your interior walls. Acrylic latex paints are versatile as they can be used indoors and outdoors. They offer several benefits over regular latex and oil-based paints:

• They can be applied over water-based or oil-based primers.
• They have superior adhesion (as long as the surfaces are well-prepared).
• They are more durable than latex paints.
• They have excellent color retention.
• They can be used on wood, stucco, and metal surfaces.

Make sure that the paint is applied properly

When correctly applied, paint gives your home a fresh and updated look while protecting your walls from traffic and other elements.

You can do the job right with the right equipment and properly follow the painting process. So, don’t cheap out on the tools! Quality brushes and rollers allow the paint to be applied properly and evenly, ensuring a long-lasting paint job.

Step 1: Mix the paint

Use a wooden paint stirrer or a drill with a mixer attachment to mix your paint. This will ensure the components of the paint are well-distributed.

Step 2: Paint the ceiling

Dip the roller into the paint tray to load it and remove excess paint. Then start rolling in one corner and proceed diagonally across the ceiling with a “W” pattern. Make sure to overlap each previous stroke. Paint the ceiling line as well.

Step 2: Cut in corners

Using a 2- to 3-inch brush, paint every corner of the wall, brushing along the corner and outward a few inches. Run the brush lightly over the previous stroke to smoothen it. Then paint the rest of the wall to smooth out any brushstrokes left.

Step 3: Paint walls along the taped trim

Dip a 2- to 3-inch brush into the paint and apply it along the taped trim and the ceiling line. Continue working around 3 inches from the tape or ceiling line along the taped trim or ceiling outward.

Step 4: Roll the walls

Use a 12-inch roller to roll the paint in the same “W” pattern (as you did to the ceiling). Make sure to overlap previous strokes and cut-in edges and corners. Let the paint dry out if a second coat of paint is necessary.

Step 5: Remove the tape

Allow the paint to dry a minimum of 30 minutes before removing the painter’s tape from the trim.

Step 6: Finish off the trim

After removing the tape:

1. Paint the trim.
2. Start painting as close to the wall as possible and work along the trim covering from top to bottom.
3. For thinner areas of the trim, use a narrow, angled brush.
4. Use a wide brush with a straight edge to cover the broader areas of the trim.

You want your paint job to last when you take care of house painting in San Ramon, prepare, prime, and research. Don’t be afraid to talk to professional painting contractors if you need their help.