Spring Painting Tips for Homeowners

Spring is in the air and along with it, the annual obligations of – you guessed it – spring cleaning. While most homeowners tend to focus on cleaning out the home and getting rid of all of the junk they have accumulated over the years, one area typically not tackled is painting. All the cleaning in the world won’t make a difference if the walls – inside and outside – of your home are dingy. Inside this home improvement article are some spring painting tips from North Georgia’s premier design/build firm!

Painting Advice

When most people think of painting a home (be it interior or exterior), they tend to think it is as simple as putting down something to cover the floor, dipping a paint brush into some paint, and running the brush up and down the walls – easy-peasy. While you certainly could take this approach, we highly recommend you put those rollers down, step far, far away from the wall, and read the painting tips below. Your home (and your spouse) will thank you!

Check the Temperature

Depending upon the type of paint you use, you will want to check the temperature and weather if you plan on painting outdoors. The best condition to apply exterior paint is when it is warm and dry. If there is a lot of moisture in the air, or the air is frigid, you will not have a good result no matter what type of paint and precautions you take. The ideal temperature for most paints is 50 degrees or higher, though there are special brands of paint that say you can go as low as 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

If the temperature is too hot, or the sun is beating directly on the outside of the house, you may want to wait for it to cool down a little, as the high temperatures can cause the paint to dry too fast and “lap.”

Clean Before You Paint

Of all the painting advice we can give you, the number one piece is this: clean your surface thoroughly before you apply a stitch of paint. Don’t skimp on the cleaner (use a quality, commercial grade cleaner) and be sure to remove any dirt, grime, mildew, and build-up from any walls or surfaces you intend to paint. If cleaning the outside of the home, use (rent if you do not own) a power washer.

Paint Quality and Preparation

Like it or not, not every can of paint is created the same. While you may be tempted to go for the paint brand that is a few dollars cheaper a gallon, we suggest you opt for a quality, trusted brand versus a generic paint. Remember that your paint job should last you for many years – sometimes up to a decade. Purchasing an inferior brand of paint can severely lessen the lifespan of your paint job.

Another thing to consider when purchasing paint is the fact that not every can will be the same exact shade. There are slight differences in every can of paint. Because of this, we recommend you have the local paint store “mix” each can. Then, when you get home, pour each can of paint in a bucket, stir the combined paint together, then pour the mixed paint back into each can. This will ensure your walls are all the same color and that there is no variation in color or hue.

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