It is important to get to know the proper methods to prep a building for exterior building painting. The fact this is half the battle when it comes to painting. If the exterior of a building is not properly prepped before painting it can cause many long term problems. The following are just a few key things to keep in mind while preparing for exterior painting.
Protecting the Area
Prior to starting any new paint job, it is essential to make sure the surrounding area is protected. It does not matter where the painting is taking place, over cement, an awning or some other surface, the best way to protect the area from debris and wet paint is to lay out a plastic sheet. There are a number of options of plastic sheets available, so be sure to purchase an exterior grade option.
Scraping Off Old Paint
The reason for scraping all the old paint off is to ensure that there is a smooth surface to apply the new paint. If this step is skipped, the new paint you apply could flake off or have bare spots in it. The most time efficient way to remove all of the old paint is to use a wire brush drill attachment. After the attachment is installed make sure to get all nooks and crevices of the surface. For more in depth scraping use a pull scraper which is a sharp blade made for stripping old paint off.
Sanding After Scraping
After all of the old paint is it is time to sand the rough edges. If this step is skipped, the new paint that is applied will not go on evenly or smoothly. For smaller areas a wood block with sandpaper will be sufficient and for bigger areas an orbital sander. It is important to steer clear of belt sanders, as they may leave a swirl pattern or dip in the wood.
Priming
After the scraping and sanding is complete, there are likely to be some barer spots in the wood or metal. It is important to apply a coat of primer, which will help to cover these areas before the actual paint is applied.
When it is time to invest in exterior painting hiring a professional contractor will ensure that any building is prepped and primed in the proper manner to ensure a successful coat of paint. This will provide a fresh face for the building that you and customers will love. The work that is invested in getting this done will be well worth it.
