Prepping your home for an exterior paint job can help it look its best for longer. Maximize the durability and beauty of your home-improvement investment with tips from Hughes Painting, Inc. We offer exterior painting and other services at homes and businesses in Virginia Beach, VA and other communities.

Start With a Clean Slate

Use a garden hose, cleaning solution and scrub brush to clean siding. Trisodium phosphate, or TSP, is a safe, effective option. Prevent or eliminate mildew with a 1:3 mix of household bleach and water; mildewcide will also do the trick. For surfaces with peeling or flaking paint, try a power washer. A concentrated stream may damage wood or cause water issues, so take care when using this method.

Remove Remaining Paint

Protecting yourself with safety glasses and a dust mask, use a blade scraper to remove any remaining chips or flakes. A wire brush is good for catching small paint debris not removed by the hose or power washer. A sander connected to a HEPA-filter vacuum cleaner is also ideal for removing paint remains. Strip paint from intricate woodwork with a chemical solvent designed for the job. An infrared stripper will remove stubborn paint from siding. Fix any flaws on your house’s surface with an outdoor-rated surface repair compound, finishing with a sander after the compound dries.

Pay Attention to Details

Remove existing caulk around openings. Apply new caulk around windows, doorways and any other area that needs to be sealed. Be sure to use a paint-able formula specifically for exteriors. Mind these other details before your exterior painting job:

• Cover bushes and shrubs to keep paint off
• Protect plants and gardens with drop-cloths
• Remove shutters to be painted away from the house
• Don’t forget to put a tarp or drop-cloth over grass near the house

We hope you’ve allowed plenty of time for one of the most important aspects of your house-painting adventure: choosing a color palette. If you’re stuck, online tools are available to help you make a selection. Unsure about a color for the trim? Go a few shades lighter than your exterior paint color.

These tips will go a long way towards preserving your paint — and even doubling its life span. Hughes Painting, Inc. helps homeowners achieve a look they’ll love for years to come, and we can help you, too. Contact us for exterior painting services to bring out the beauty of your home in Virginia Beach, VA.