Brad Newton
Second Unit
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2001
- Messages
- 382
You never mentioned what type of home you have, brick, stone, etc. I have painted many homes professionally. The most important thing is the prep work - scrapping, washing, caulking. Be sure to scrape first. If that results in bare wood, then be sure to prime it. Wash the exterior with a professional grade cleaner. You can avoid that additional expense by using clorox in warm water & a sponge. Be sure to rinse with clean water. Make sure to give the wood enough time to dry after wash/rinse. If there are any cracks around the windows, door frames, gabels, etc., caulk it. Do not use silicone caulk. Silicone is great to keep water out but it will not hold paint. If you do install new windows, by all means caulk around them to seal them. I would not recommend using a sprayer. Yes it is faster, but it does not produce a good job. When using a roller or brush, the paint is absorbed better into the wood giving you a longer more durable finish. You can use a roller if you prefer that type of "finish". My dad and I always liked the finish look of a brush. It looks more natural but takes longer. Painting is not an easy job if done correctly, nor is it fun. It is hard work, especially in the dead of summer. One more thing, use a water based paint vs an oil base if possible. Oil base paints are great for sealing the wood, but the water base lets the wood breathe, therefor in the summer when it expands so will the paint. The oil base will not expand, it will just pull apart. Also use a good paint, Porter, Pittsburg, etc. Remember, you get what you pay for.