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5 Important Steps to Exterior Prep Work for Lasting Paint

April 14th, 2023 | 2 min read

By Kaylea Kuhlman

The exterior of your home needs to be properly prepared for the paint to avoid damages that will otherwise appear quickly and need to be repainted again. Exterior paint is already under the stress of environmental factors and natural accidents. 

Having your exterior painted correctly the first time with a thorough prep work process and high-quality paint will save you money by not needing it to be redone again after a few years. 

Brush & Roll Painting has been painting the exterior of homes across the Omaha metro since 1996. We take pride in our thorough prep work process that results in durable and lasting paint. 

This article will discuss why a thorough prep process for exterior painting is essential. By reading this article, you will be aware of the key steps to a thorough prep work process to help you find the best contractor to paint your home's exterior. 

Exterior Prep 3

  1. Washing Homes Exterior

A good power or pressure wash will do tremendous work for a home. Most importantly, it exposes problem areas that need to be repaired before painting. It is important to inspect the home thoroughly during this process so the entirety is clean.

Some damages might be covered by dirt or plants. Vents and gutters tend to be the Areas with the most dirt.

Revealing hidden areas could also show paint that is peeling or has faded and been discolored.

Plus, it is best to paint clean siding, not dirt.

2. Fixing problem areas

Clearing the home of any peeling loose paint will allow for a clear surface to paint on top of. At this time, sunken nail holes and rotting wood boards should be taken care of. 

Damages to old paint will still show through under fresh coats of new paint if they are not taken care of. 

3. Sanding Homes Exterior

Feather sanding is a crucial step to ensure that the exterior paint adheres to tough surfaces. This is done on areas with popped or sunken nails, chipped or peeling wood or paint etc. 

If sanding is skipped, painting on top of old paint will not have a smooth coverage and it will show imperfections within a few years.

4. Caulking Homes Exterior 

Caulking is a must in terms of a home’s exterior. It is also what needs to be fixed and touched up most often. Caulk is put in cracks and openings along windows, doors, and siding.

Caulking will insulate the home by keeping harsh weather conditions and moisture from seeping through the gaps. Caulking your home also protects it from water or insect damage.

This prep work also protects the wood and paint from damage. Without it, the paint would peel and crack quickly. 

Because of its important job, investing in a higher quality caulk is better. Low-quality caulk will peel off in a short period of time. 

5. Masking and Covering Windows and Doors

Blanke In Progress 10Cummins In Process 1Cummins In Process 2

Masking and/or covering windows and doors that do not need to be painted the same color or at all, will result in the best work. Taking the time for this step allows for clean paint.

If this step is skipped, paint is destined to get areas it is not supposed to, which can be messy and calls for much more clean-up time. Especially while spraying exterior paint, overspray can fall anywhere. 

Confirm Exterior Prep Work Process

A thorough prep work process in combination with high-quality paint products is the only way to obtain exterior paint that lasts a long time. 

To find a contractor that uses a thorough prep process to paint the exterior of your home, you can try to do research on their websites, social media, and reviews. If you can’t find anything, you might have to ask them before meeting them or getting an estimate directly.

Brush & Roll Painting has been providing exterior painting services since 1996. We have given hundreds of homes in Omaha a durable and smooth finish due to our complex prep work process and use of high-quality products.

Next, learn about the differences between low-quality and high-quality exterior paint. Knowing which paint is best for your exterior paint project in combination with a thorough prep work process, will give you the best quality results and save you money in the long run. 

Click here to learn about the significance of prep work before painting any surface in your home. 

Kaylea Kuhlman

Kaylea is the Brush & Roll Painting Content Manager.