The exterior of your home should leave you and your visitors with a lasting first impression.

In order to achieve a neat, clean finish and an inviting feeling, exterior walls need to be appropriately prepared for painting. Depending on the condition of the walls, the surface you’re painting and the environment you’re painting in.

STEPS

1. Temporarily remove pot plants, garden hoses and any other items in close proximity to exterior walls.
2. Wash walls with using a sponge and soapy solution (a small amount of detergent in a bucket of water) to get rid of any dirt or grime. Then hose down and allow time to dry. This will ensure the paint will adhere to the wall and not the dirt or grime.
3. Check if any mould is present, particularly on the areas of the house which are not exposed to direct sun light, such as the south side of the house. Carefully apply the bleach solution to walls using a sponge and leave to soak for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and again, allow walls to dry completely.
4. Make sure plants and ground near the walls are covered with plastic or canvas drop cloths, so as to not cause damage.
5. Assess the walls for any damage or surface lumps and bumps.
6. If there is any peeling or flaking areas, scrape them to remove the loose paint then gently sand the surface down.
7. Fill any dents or nail holes in the walls with a pre-mixed exterior grade filler, using filling blades.
8. Use acrylic gap sealants for cracks or gaps in areas where there may be movement e.g. near doors and windows. Be sure to use paintable sealants, not silicone, on areas you wish to paint.
9. Once the fillers and sealers have set, sand down these areas. While you’re there, sand down any rough or shiny spots to improve adhesion and finish.
10. Spot prime the filled areas with REO 3 in 1 sealer primer undercoat.
11. To finish, apply painter’s masking tape to fittings which can’t be removed and around edges which may be fiddly and difficult to paint around, such as trims, windows and doors.
12. To avoid exterior paint blistering or flaking over time, test the existing paint for adhesion before repainting. Cut an ‘X’ through the old paint with a scraper or blade. Apply painter’s masking tape over the ‘X’ and firmly apply pressure. Remove the tape in a swift motion. If old paint appears on the tape or lifts on the edges of the ‘X’ cut when the tape is removed, it will need to be removed prior to repainting.
13. For a really effective finish, apply a coat of Reo Oaster 3 in 1 sealer primer undercoat to the entire wall. This allows for good adhesion and blocks out dark or existing colours, making it easier to paint over and providing a smoother, more professional looking top coat.
14. Remember, you’ll need to add a few more materials to the list to complete this step. You’ll need:
    • A 230 or 270mm paint roller frame
    • A matching roller cover with a 9-12mm nap
    • A matching paint tray
    • A roller pole