House Painting

House Painting Tips

Some things I've learned while painting.

• Take down your screens, downspouts, fixtures (and anything else you plan to take down) and put them in a weather protected area, like the garage. That way, if it rains, you can still get stuff done, like wash the screens, paint the downspouts, etc.
• You can save loads of time in scraping and priming if you do them both at the same time. As you scrape off loose paint, before you move to the next spot, go ahead and prime the bare wood areas (and other areas that need primed.)
• I don't spray paint my house; to some it may save time, but the prep work is harder (as you have to tape off stuff), and it works better if you have someone with a roller behind you roll the paint out. A power roller can do the same thing, doesn't depend on the weather, and reduces the chances of overspray getting on the neighbors' flowers (or worse, their BMW!)
• Use the best paint, not the cheapest. It will adhere better, look better, and take fewer coats to cover. I had a friend get a discount store paint for $6 a gallon while I paid @20 a gallon. He put on three coats to cover, I put on one. He repainted three years later, and five years later, I don't need to paint...at least not this year.
• Buy paint at a paint store. Not only will you get a better grade paint, you'll get lots of free advice, tips and help from people who deal with paint all day long.
• Try and use a step ladder to paint the soffits. It beats scaffolding, and it's much cheaper.
• When renting or buying a ladder, get one that is just big enough. If you only weigh 180 pounds, you don't need a 450 pound capacity ladder. These ladders are very stable, but they are also verrrry heavy. With all the ladder moves you'll be making, you want to make it as simple as possible.
• Wrap the ends of your ladders (or the wingspans) in rags to keep from marring the walls when you set it up against the house.
• Instead of buying bucket hooks to hook a paint bucket on the ladder, make your own from a hanger or wire. It's cheaper, and you'll probably lose it before your done painting anyway.(I find mine with the lawn mower.)
• When working by yourself, try not to use a ladder at all. I've been stranded on the roof many times because a ladder fell over...and it can get awful hot up there in the summer.