Nothing gives your home a fresh new look quite like painting. You can change the color, touch up the appearance, and protect your home from the elements. Painting also adds value to your home, and can make a great first impression, what realtors call “curb appeal”, if you’re planning to sell. Painting is not a difficult project for a family or group of friends to tackle, but be sure that you wait until you have a full day of dry weather before painting, and that you wait a few days after any rain so that the house is adequately dry.
The basic steps to painting your house are to first, prepare the paint for an even coat. Then to paint the edges to the trim, and the underside of the clapboards. Finally, you will paint the surface of the siding.
You’ll save time and work if you paint your house in the following order: 1) gables, 2) main siding, 3) windows, 4) trim, 5) doors. Always remember to paint from the top down.
Make sure the paint is well stirred. Re-stir the paint periodically to keep it mixed. Dip your brush in the paint 1/3 to 1/2 the length of the bristles. Wipe the underside gently on the rim of the paint can to minimize drips, and hold the brush bristle-end up as you move it toward the siding so you don’t get paint all over the ground.
First, paint the siding next to corner trim, window trim or door trim, and paint out about two to three inches from the edge.
Now, paint the flat surface of the siding. Use back-and-forth strokes to ensure a smooth finish. Use enough hand pressure to spread the paint out for maximum coverage. Apply a fresh brush full of paint to an unpainted area, and work back into the painted areas.
Now, paint the flat surface of the siding. Use back-and-forth strokes to ensure a smooth finish. Use enough hand pressure to spread the paint out for maximum coverage. Apply a fresh brush full of paint to an unpainted area, and work back into the painted areas.
Always apply paint in the direction of the siding. Stroke side-to-side on horizontal siding, up-and-down on vertical siding, and at a slant for angle-mounted siding. Wipe up any drips before they have time to dry.
Once you’ve finished with the siding, you can go on to paint your windows, trim and doors.