Top 4 Exterior Painting Tips
Summer is the perfect time to tackle outdoor projects, including painting your home's exterior. It may seem impossible, but with the right tips and tools, anyone can paint the outside of a house like a pro. The experts at Flanagan Paint & Supply are here to help make the project (almost) effortless.
Work Out a Budget
Nobody likes to be halfway through a DIY project and realize the cost will be significantly more than anticipated. You can avoid this by calculating expenses before you get started. An average gallon of exterior paint will cover about 300 square feet of surface area, so a 2,500 square foot home will need between eight and ten cans for a single coat. Two coats are always suggested for the best final result, especially if you make a noticeable color change. Don't forget to factor in things like brushes, ladders, and other supplies. Our team can help you calculate precisely how much paint you'll need and the supplies to complete the job.
Proper Prep Matters
Any surface must be clean before you apply paint. The outside of a house tends to gather more grime than the interior, so you must be more vigilant about the process. A pressure washer can be helpful, but you'll likely need a scrub brush and mild detergent for stubborn spots. After the surface is spic ‘n span, repair any blemishes to ensure the smoothest surface for painting.
Keep an Eye on the Sky
You can paint your living room 365 days a year without worrying about the weather, but the forecast matters when you work outside. The biggest obstacle to a quality exterior paint job is rain. Paint cannot adhere to a damp surface, and rain will wash fresh paint away if it hasn't had a chance to dry. You also want to avoid very windy days because your paint will dry too fast, and you're more likely to have dirt and debris stick to your fresh paint. Our final weather tip is to not paint in direct sun. If you're painting with the midday sun blazing down on you, the paint will dry too quickly, and lap marks will be unavoidable.
Avoiding Lap Marks & Drips
- Lap marks: These are the darker marks that appear when you apply paint on an area that has already dried. You can minimize these by working quickly and in small sections to ensure the site remains wet while painting. If a break is unavoidable and you end up with these marks, a second coat will generally solve the problem.
- Drips and runs: The best way to prevent these mishaps is by double-checking your work as you go. Paint accumulates on edges and corners; you can fix runs in wet paint by brushing over them. If the color is drying, wait for it to dry completely, then sand the area with 100-grit paper and touch it up.
Contact Us
As the area's premier Benjamin Moore paint dealer, you can rely on Flanagan Paint & Supply for all your interior, exterior, and specialty paint needs. We're also your local resource for premium Gaco™ Silicone Roof Coatings, equipment rental, and interior design services. Visit one of our six locations or send us a message to get started!
We proudly serve Edwardsville, Ellisville, Webster Groves, Saint Peters, Creve Coeur, Wentzville, Maryland Heights, Town & Country, Des Peres, University City, Cottleville, St. Peters, St. Charles, Dardenne Prairie, Lake Saint Louis, and O'Fallon, Missouri.