The right paint makes your great outdoors even better.
By JJM
Paint is the easiest way to add oomph! to the exterior of your home. Whether you choose to introduce a new palette or simply refresh the existing one, the outcome will be the same: a revitalized home and improved curb appeal.
Painting is also one of the few home improvement jobs that can be mastered by even novice DYIers. The key to success is to avoid certain painting ‘faux pas’ and doing your prep work. Here’s what you need to know.
Choosing The Right Paint and Colour
Colour, consider your surroundings when choosing exterior colours. Have a close look at your home – the rooms, the mortar and the siding, as well as the architectural style. Keep in mind too how your house will blend in or stand out from other homes on the street. A common approach is to harmonize with existing colours and then use bolder character enhancing accents – adding those hues on smaller surfaces, like doors, trim and shutters.
Exterior paints are available in acrylic – latex (water-based) and alkyd (oil based) formulas. Both are fade-resistant and long-lasting. PARA’s Ultra 100% Acrylic Latex Exterior paint comes in semi-gloss and velvet finishes, and the Ultra Exterior Alkyd paint is available in semi-gloss and gloss finishes.
Sheen, remember that glossy finishes accentuate flaws. One popular method is to use velvet on wall surfaces, and semi-gloss or gloss on trim, railings, eaves and doors.
When To paint
The best time to paint is under the following conditions:
- The temperature is between 15◦C and 25◦C and has been for 24 hours.
- If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to paint.
- Humidity is low to moderate with no chance of rain.
- Winds are low to non-existent.
How To Paint
For best results, follow these steps:
- 1. CLEAN AND SAND
Ensure proper paint adhesion by sanding wood surfaces with 80 – 120 grit sandpaper for vertical surfaces, and 60 – 80 grit sandpaper for horizontal ones. For metal, roughen the surface with metal-grade sandpaper. Wipe surfaces down before painting.
- 2. PATCH
Repair any holes with filler or caulking.
- 3. PAINT IN THE CORRECT ORDER
Start from the side of the house that’s in the shade. Paint from top down, starting with gutters, fascias and eaves, then walls or siding, then windows, sills and doors. Tackle trim, downpipes and the foundation last. PARA Paints recommends a primer where applicable, and two top coats for maximum protection and durability.
- 4. WORK AT A STEADY PACE
Don’t be overwhelmed by the scale of your project. Pace yourself. There is no rule that says you can’t break the job down into several smaller jobs and tackle them over the course of a few months, or even a season.
Just remember your number one source of information in making sure you have what you need and what will get the job done correctly is your local paint retailer. Color Company staff are here to help guide you and assist with any questions you may have.
Eco-friendly painting tips
- Save leftover paint for furniture and craft projects.
- Drop off leftover paint at a participating home-improvement store, salvage shop or municipal household waste depot.
- Put dry, empty paint cans in your blue bin for recycling.
- Choose from PARA Paints low – VOC Elite or Ultra latex collections.
