When it comes to house painting, as with any home improvement, the best way to ensure a professional job is to hire a trusted professional. However, with the right equipment and plenty of time and patience, it is possible to paint your house yourself and get a great finish.
Prepare your surfaces
As with any paint job, preparation is key. Every hour you spend preparing will save you time throughout the actual painting process and add to the lifespan of your final paint job. Your house is exposed the elements, 24/7 and will inevitably pick up dirt and vehicle emissions, as well as pollen and plant matter. Tempting as it may be to just paint over the grime, you will just be covering the problem and you won’t get a professional finish. What’s more, leaving debris on the walls will mean that your paint will peel more quickly, even if you use primer.
Clear
Before you start any DIY, particularly if there are ladders or scaffold towers involved, it is critical that you clear a clutter-free work space so that you can work without trip hazards.
Wash
Start by washing the walls down – a pressure washer can make relatively easy work of this. If you notice any green growth, this could be a sign of a more serious damp problem; if in doubt, get your walls checked by a damp specialist before you spend more time and money on painting.
Fill
Use putty or filler to fill in minor cracks and dents in the walls and windowsills. If you notice more significant cracks or damage to your render, it is advisable that you get a builder to repair it professionally before you continue.
Sand
Once any filler or putty has dried completely, sand it out to a smooth finish. Sand or scrape away any flaking paint and double check that all rotten wood has been replaced, and window putty applied where necessary.
Mask
Whether or not to mask off areas is a personal choice. Much of the quality of a paint job comes in the finishing; the clean lines and splatter free windowsills. Masking your lines may seem like a waste of time, but it makes the painting process much easier and leaves you with a crisp finish. If you are using a paint sprayer, it is essential that you cover all areas that are not to be painted. If you are using a brush and/or rollers, mask before you start and remember to remove it as you go.
Paint! Once your prep is done, you can get painting; follow us on Facebook or Twitter for our pro painting tips.