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How to Avoid the 5 Most Common Painting Mistakes

April 28, 2018 Andrew 0 Comments

You know the difference between a really sharp exterior paint job and one that looks like it was done as part of a sixth-grade art project? It’s attention to the small details like we pride ourselves on here at All Painting and Power Washing.

What are the five biggest mistakes that can ruin a paint job? Let’s take a look:

MISTAKE 1: Failure to scrape and sand

By thoroughly scraping and sanding the surfaces to be painted, you’ll prevent flaking and peeling of the new paint. Painting over un-prepped surfaces produces an uneven look that can be further marred by drips when the raised edges of old, dry paint aren’t sanded down smooth.

MISTAKE 2: Lack of weathered-wood prep

You cannot just throw new paint onto bare wood that either has never been painted before or from which old paint was scraped off. Untreated wood will absorb much more paint than painted wood, resulting in a blotchy, unsightly appearance. Solve this problem by using a primer on all areas of bare wood.

MISTAKE 3: Avoiding primer all together

Bare wood needs a good coat of primer, but smart painters know that they’ll turn out a much nicer job if they prime all exterior surfaces before painting them. Primer sticks to any clean surface to which it’s applied, and it forms a surface of its own that makes it easy to apply a smooth, consistent layer of new paint.

MISTAKE 4: Neglecting to address moisture issues

Moisture within the walls on which new paint will be applied will cause blistering and peeling. Common areas that allow in moisture on the exterior of a home include window frame edges, door frames, corner joints and any place else that has small openings or cracks. Add caulking around all these areas to keep out the moisture.

MISTAKE 5: Thin coats

Paint should be applied at a spread rate in accord with the paint manufacturer’s recommendation. Cutting corners by thinning paint or applying very thin coats will result in ugly cracks and peeling. Insufficient paint also can lead to the formation of mildew. On the other side, don’t over-apply paint, because that will lead to its own set of problems. Read the paint can, or get advice from an expert, and then apply just the right amount of paint.

With exterior painting it always pays to sweat the small stuff, and that’s just what we do here at All Painting and Power Washing. Looking to have your home painted this spring? Give us a call!

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