Outdoor Painting, Avoiding 10 Mistakes that Could Make It All Go Wrong

Painting the house will add beauty and pleasure to your home. Photo Credit: ocean yamaha

Outdoor painting is a good DIY project, but mistakes can cost time and money. Brush up on the pitfalls and your outdoor painting project will go by much more smoothly. Here are some tips:

1. Prepare adequately:  Anti-mildew washing, removing loose and peeling paint, countersinking nails and screws; all are things that need to be done before you paint. Take time to prepare the surface and the finished product will look 100% better.
2. Don’t skimp on paint: Liberal applications may cost you a little more but it’s well worth it in the long run. Use a sealer before painting. This will prevent cracking later on.
3. Finish on time: Once you start the painting project, make sure to complete on time. It looks worse to have only some of the house painted. If you’ve hired someone to do the job, make sure to follow up with them about a completion time. They might be juggling several painting projects at once.
4. Avoid bad weather: The result of painting in poor weather is usually bubbling or cracking. Don’t rush the project, be quick about it, but don’t hurry. The experts say 40 degrees is the lowest temperature you should try outdoor painting in.
5. Use the proper paint and primer: It goes without saying but make sure to use some type of adhesion and oil based paints for exterior painting. Latex will dry faster and it’s easier to clean up, but water can pass through latex paint. Oil based paints or acrylic latex are more durable and standup to weather.
6. Prevent bleeding and stains: Oils in the wood can discolor paint. Rust from metal is also a bad thing. Both situations can be addressed by applying a preventative sealant. In the case of rust, scrap off the oxidation then paint on anti-corrosion primer. For natural oils, a good wood sealer will be sufficient.
7. Don’t ignore mold: This stuff may be found in darker regions of the garage or storage unit. Don’t try and paint over mold. Doing this only provides the mold with a yummy food source.
8. Avoid direct sunlight: Try not to paint in direct sunlight; this can cause imperfections and bubbling to occur.
9. Address wrinkling: This happens when paint is too thick for the still liquid paint underneath. A layer of paint will form, creating an annoying series of waves. To fix the problem, sand down the wrinkles or remove them entirely by scraping. Then recoat with a thinner consistency of paint.
10. Use linseed oil for decks: Sun and rain will wreck havoc on wood decks and porches. Clear sealants allow UV rays in and they peel. Try linseed oil based stains. It shows off the pigment and preserves the wood.

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