Search HowStuffWorks and the web:
 

Careful painting preparation makes for faster cleanup and longer-lasting results. Learn about painting preparation, from scrubbing to sanding to masking.

Exterior Painting Preparation

Even if you're fortunate enough to skip spot-scraping, sanding, and repriming, there are still some prepainting chores to attend to. They're much less laborious than removing peeling paint but no less vital to a successful job.

Rust stains on siding, overhangs, and foundations need to be removed. Leaks in gutters and downspouts have to be repaired. Loose caulking should be replaced, along with split shingles. Cracks in siding must be filled, sanded, and primed. Mildew must be scrubbed off, and steps should be taken to eliminate its return.

Also, to make painting easier, storm windows, screens, shutters, awnings, wall-mounted light fixtures (be sure to turn the power supply off), the mailbox, and even the street address numbers should be taken down, cleaned, and painted separately. You may even want to remove downspouts, as it's sometimes difficult to get a paintbrush behind them.

To make painting easier, remove light fixtures and other accessories.

To make painting easier, remove light fixtures and other accessories.

You can typically complete all of these preparations for an entire house in a single day or over a weekend. If you're painting a porch or an outbuilding, it may only take an hour. If you're painting with latex, you can start the following day; solvent-base paint does not adhere well to moist surfaces so wait several days until all the washed surfaces are absolutely dry before applying this type of paint.

Not what you're looking for? Try these helpful articles:
  • House Painting: Ready to tackle a house painting project? Gather helpful tips on both interior and exterior painting in this home improvement article.
  • House Painting Tools: Before taking on any painting project, make sure you have the tools you'll need to do the job well. This article will help.
  • Painting Exteriors: Learn the basics of painting siding, trim, and all things on the outside of the house in this article.
  • Selecting Exterior Paint: Gain tips to help you choose the best exterior paint for the job in this article.

 



Share This Article: (what's this?)



More Options:



ADVERTISEMENT
Browse Browse Videos Browse Videos
 
  •  
    VIDEO SELECTIONS
     
Discovery
TOOLBELT DIVA: Screw Driver

 
HowStuffWorks
How to Test for Lead Contamination

 
Discovery
TOOLBELT DIVA: Sandpaper

 
Discovery
TOOLBELT DIVA: Caulk

 
Reuters
NYC Woman Finds Million Dollar Painting in Trash

 
DWJTV
Fall Fix It and Home Renovations with Jodi Marks

 
Reuters
Art of the News

 
DWJ Television
Eco-Friendly Products for Your Home with Brad Staggs

 
Reuters
Stolen Nazi Treasure Worth $4 Million