7 Tips for Making Exterior Paint Jobs Last Longer

If you have an upcoming exterior painting project, you probably want it to last as long as possible and keep your house protected against the elements. However, no matter the quality of the paint or paint job, the exterior paint eventually breaks down.

Your home’s exterior paint is exposed to a wide range of harsh elements, including rains, frost, UV rays, sleet, constant temperature fluctuation, flying dirt, and even insect invasion. How long your paint holds against these elements and lasts depends on various factors. In this article, we want to share quick tips on how to make your exterior paint job last longer.

Let’s get started, shall we?

1. Quality Paint
The quality of the paint you buy directly impacts the durability of your paint job. Generally, low-cost paints have a lesser amount of critical ingredients like color pigments, binders, and resins. As a result, these paints tend to have lower adherence, inadequate coverage, and color inconsistencies.

Cheaper paints often peel, fade, crack, and chalk within a short after application. It’s not to say that overspending always guarantees stellar results, but chances are you’ll soon regret cutting corners with low-grade paint.

2. Clean Surfaces
Make sure that your siding is sparkling clean before applying paint. That means old loose paint, dirt, dust, and organic growth must be washed off before painting. A power washer would usually be enough for thorough cleaning. Painting on a dirty or partially clean surface creates a foundation for poor paint adhesion, premature paint peeling, and an unflattering finish.

3. Dry Surfaces
Rushing the paint job is one of the biggest reasons DIY painting projects fail within a few months. Painting on a wet surface often leads to poor paint adhesion and paint peeling and blistering down the line. Wait for the surface to dry completely after washing, priming, and when applying subsequent paint coats. Otherwise, you may also end up with a blotchy paint job and lots of surface imperfections.

4. Use a Primer
Most exterior paint jobs almost always require priming. A primer seals the previous dark paint colors and stains from showing through your new paint finish. Also, priming creates an even and suitable surface for proper paint adherence and coverage. The result is a beautiful and durable paint job that will withstand the harsh exterior elements.

5. Regular Inspections
Once painting has been completed, ensure that you regularly inspect the exteriors of your house by paying attention to any damages or changes that might cause damage. If you notice any issues, invite a professional to inspect and fix them right away before they get any worse.

6. Pressure Washing
After a year or two down the line, you might notice a buildup of dirt and grime on your house’s exterior siding. You can reverse this by pressure washing your exterior. Depending on your surrounding environment and siding material, you might want to pressure your home every other year to prevent the buildup of dirt and dust. Be careful when using a pressure washer because it can actually damage your siding when the pressure is set too high.

7. Consult The Experts
Exterior house painting is an extensive project that requires experience, skills, effort, and the right tools. It’s an involving project that will almost always overwhelm your DIY painting resources. Hiring a painting contractor can guarantee a high-quality, flawless, and durable paint job that will stand the test of time.

If you haven’t identified a painting contractor in San Diego for your exterior painting project yet, Peek Brothers Painting would love to help. To give us a try, call us on (858)505-1361 for a FREE estimate.