Few home-maintenance projects are as important as exterior painting because a nice paint job will enhance the
curb appeal and resale value of your TORTOLA RENTALS.
You should repair and repaint your home as soon as you notice paint starting to crack, blister and peel. If you
choose to ignore these warning signs for too long you will end up with a much more extensive and expensive job.
Here are some painting tips every home owner should know whether you are planning to carry the work out yourself
or hire a professional.
Paint options
There are two basic types of exterior paint: water-based latex and oil-based alkyd. Latex cleans up with soap
and water, dries quickly, has minimal odor and remains flexible longer so is therefore less likely to crack.
Alkyd paints need shite spirit for cleanup, however many professional painters favor alkyd paint because it’s
long lasting and stain-resistant, the paint flows smoother and dries with fewer brush marks. However, alkyd
paints do have a very strong smell and take more time to dry.
Read the label
Not many homeowners read the label of a paint tin, however they really should. there is a huge amount of
information printed right on the tin that can help you to achieve a good paint job. Ensure that you read all the
instructions about preparing the surface and outdoor air temperature. Most paints shouldn’t be applied when the
temperature is 50 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, however there are some paints that are specifically formulated
for application when the temperature is as low as 35.
Prep the surface
The surfaces must be cleaned so they are free of all dirt, grime, mildew and chalky residue so that the paint
adheres. A power sprayer provides the easiest way to accomplish this, but hand scrubbing with a hard brush can
be just as effective.
I is a good idea to use a hammer to tap in nails and then fill the holes with putty for exterior use. Once the
putty is dry, sand it down until it is flush with the surface.
Painting over the old paint on a surface is ok as long as it is in good condition. Make sure you sand any spots
that have blistered or flaked off and prime any bare wood before painting.
Brush or roller?
The easiest and fastest way to apply exterior paint is with a roller and a paintbrush. You can brush paint onto
narrow areas and edges and use a roller which is short with a small diameter to paint the larger and longer
areas.
Start in the shade
It is not a good idea to paint surfaces in direct sunlight as it will dry too quickly which means it will not
adhere properly and will blister and flake prematurely. So begin painting on the shady side of the house. If the
surface is damp, wipe it dry. Then wait for the sun to move and the other sides of the house to become shaded —
or just paint on an overcast day.
Start from the top
Begin painting at the top of the house and work your way down, apply paint to the bottom edge of the siding
first and then paint the large surfaces. Always brush from one wet surface to another so that you can avoid lap
marks and if this is not possible you should paint onto a previously painted area which has dried overlapping
the surface by several inches.
As you will be working high up, you must also remember basic ladder safety rules: Don’t reach too far to the side
of you may topple over. Try to keep your hips within the horizontal rails of the ladder, remember its much safer
to climb down and l=move the ladder and climb back up than risk falling. Since you’ll be working high up, don’t
forget basic ladder safety: Don’t reach too far to the side or you might topple over. Try to keep your hips
within the horizontal rails of the ladder. It’s much smarter to climb down, move the ladder and climb back up
than to risk falling.
Painting the exterior of a home is just one of those jobs most people don’t want to start, however if you follow
these simple tips the job will be much easier than you first anticipated.
