If you want a great, long lasting paint job then it is essential that you prepare your house sufficiently
. A beautiful finish relies on proper preparation and enough time, as much as the painting itself in fact, must be allowed to do it justice.
As the exterior is exposed to the elements of rain, wind and sunlight it is especially important to pay attention to preparation here. Take a careful look over the house and thoroughly examine those areas most prone to damage like windows, doors, wooden trim and fascia. All seriously damaged wood must be replaced but you can probably fix minor damage with an appropriate filler or glue. If flashings are not in place above windows, fascia and doors it will be wise to have these installed at this time to make sure water damage doesn't occur in the future.
Look at the condition of the existing paint and this will indicate possible problem areas. Make sure that all mould and mildew is removed and any leaks are repaired before the first coat is applied. Make sure that the mould and mildew won't grow back.
Water blasting is a great way to quickly clean the exterior of the house. This followed by sanding and scraping and it is important to do both for thorough removal of loose paint. Be patient with this step as the entire paint job rests on ensuring that every last bit of loose paint is removed. Find out if the paint is likely to contain lead and take the appropriate precautions.
Once the exterior of the house is properly prepared you can apply primer and choose the best quality exterior paint that you can afford to protect what is likely to be your biggest asset.
The interior of the home will also need preparation before painting. Any lumps, bumps and holes will show up and mar the overall appearance of your finish so you want your walls to be as smooth as possible. For this you will need a sharp spatula. Use it to remove any lumps on the walls. Press the rounded end of the handle into depressions to smooth off the edges and facilitate filling. Apply the filler using two putty knives. It will be easier to sand down and create a more even surface if you apply two layers using less filler than one layer using a big blob. Use a sponge sander and work from the edge to the middle.
Check door frames and baseboards for cracks where they meet the walls and repair these with a tiny amount of caulking. You should allow for two to three layers of caulking and allow each to dry before applying another one. Patience is required.
For a professional finish make sure that you remove all switch plates as it is virtually impossible to paint cleanly around them. Move all furniture out of the room or into the middle and cover the floor and furniture with sheets.
When you look at how much time is required for the paint job including preparation you might feel that it is worth engaging a professional. If you are looking for painters Christchurch has many to choose from. Make sure that the quote includes preparation and repairs as well as high quality paint.