If you’re noticing that your home exterior seems drab, dull in color, or just overall lacking in the kind of luster it once used to have, then the paint might have started to fade, or worse, is faded already.
However, this is something a fresh coat of paint won’t be able to remedy.
So, if you’re currently about to treat your exterior to a fresh coat of paint, here’s something to read!
Here’s a Guide To Repainting Faded Paint On Your Home Exterior.
Know Why Your Coat of Paint Has Faded
Before anything else, you must find out first why your coat of paint has faded in the first place.
Knowing is important since this gives you a heads up on why the paint problem has existed in the first place, and to ensure to not repeat the same mistake on the next coat of paint.
For starters, the coat of paint on your home exterior can fade due to:
- Excessive sun exposure;
- Lack of primer usage before applying the coat of paint;
- Using low-quality paint;
- Fluctuating weather;
- A lack of proper surface preparation beforehand
Additionally, your coat of paint can also naturally fade over a period of time, which would mean that it has been a while since you have painted your exterior, and it’s due time for a fresh coat.
Do Proper Preparation
In repainting your faded coat of paint, doing proper preparation should be one of the first things you should be doing for the project.
To do this, here are a few steps you should be taking:
- Clean the Surface: Use a power washer or a high-quality scrub brush to remove dirt, dust, mildew, and loose paint from the surface.
- Repair Damaged Areas: Inspect your home’s exterior for any cracks, holes, or damaged wood. If there are any present, make sure to patch them up accordingly.
- Sanding: Lightly sand the entire surface to create a rough texture that will help the new paint adhere better.
Choosing the Right Paint
To ensure that your coat of paint won’t be fading again, it is important to choose the right kind of paint.
In making sure that you end up with the right kind of paint, here are a few factors you must remember:
- Type of Paint: Make sure to acquire paint made for exterior painting. This is the kind of paint that could withstand various external elements that your exterior tends to fall vulnerable to, and could cause the paint problems you’re trying to remedy in the first place.
- Quality: Invest in high-quality paint to ensure longevity and a professional finish. Quality paint is tinted better, resulting in better coverage and color retention. While it will be tempting to invest in cheap paint, you must remember that cheap paint is cheap as they are made from low-quality materials, which will inevitably show signs of paint problems soon.
- Color: While you may want to repaint your exterior with the same paint color, you may also want to repaint it with an entirely different one – and in doing so, make sure to end up with a paint color that goes well with the rest of your exterior’s surroundings, to ensure a cohesive finish.
Weather Considerations
In painting your exterior, the weather will also play a huge part in your project.
Ideally, you’d want to paint your exterior when the weather is mild, with temperatures between 50°F and 85°F (10°C to 29°C).
Make sure to avoid painting during windy days or during extreme heat or cold, as these conditions can affect paint application and drying times.
Additionally, be mindful of rain in the forecast, as wet paint can be ruined if it gets wet before it dries.
Application Techniques
Getting acquainted with the right paint application techniques is crucial to avoid early paint fading.
To do this, here are a few pointers:
- Prime Before Painting: Before applying your coat of paint, make sure to apply a coat of primer first. This will ensure that your coat of paint will adhere better to the surface and have a brighter, more vivid paint finish, avoiding any f paint fading anytime soon.
- Start at the Top: Start painting at the top, then work your way down. This prevents drips and allows you to catch any paint runs before they dry.
- Work in Small Sections: Paint one section at a time, such as one wall or a single side of your home, to maintain a wet edge and avoid visible lap marks.
- Apply Multiple Coats: For a long-lasting and even finish, apply two or more coats of paint, allowing sufficient drying time between coats as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
We are Total Pro Painters. As a successful, family-run business we’ve been providing commercial and residential painting services in the Boston area since 2010.
For painting inquiries, you can contact us at 774-509-0345 or send us an email at info@totalpropainters.com.
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