So I told you how much trouble I had picking out the new color for ‘Our House’, I did finally nail down a color I’m super happy with, but when I’m painting the exterior of the house, the new siding color is actually the very last of several steps…
Here’s a quick run-down of the proper steps to ensure the paint job will last several more years:
1. The first step is to scrape off all the loose or blistering paint. I had a lot of loose paint at just the bottom of the laps. I’ve found for this job, since I didn’t have a situation of old alligatored paint, that this putty knife worked best for removing the loose paint.
2. After all the loose paint is off, it’s time to prime. This is a new primer I’m trying. It was recommended to me by Hirshfield’s, (the paint franchise local to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area I’ve worked with for 20 some years). They said it was better than typical primer.
It’s super thick, reminds me of wallpaper glue.
In these pictures, you can really appreciate the amount of loose paint I scraped off. I prime everything that has exposed wood, overlapping generously onto the part that still held the paint.
I’m hoping that this new primer will be able to cling better. This is the South side of the house, and the sun really beats on the siding here…
3. After primer is dry, (the primer goes on white and dries clear) the next step is caulking. Be sure to use exterior, paintable caulk!
I have found that the best smoothing tool is my finger…
4. After the caulk is totally dry, it’s finally time to start painting… not the siding color yet. First I do the trim, over-extending the color onto the siding to give me some ‘painting grace’.
For the edges of the trim, I use a brush.
For the flat face of the trim, I use this mini roller.
5. Finally, some color! I cut in the edges of the lap siding with a brush, only working a small area at a time, so that when I follow with the roller, I’m painting wet onto wet.
So the last step is rolling on the main part of the lap siding, again using the mini roller.
Ta-da! One corner done… so I guess that brings me to: step 6. Enjoy the new color!
Finally, but there’s still lots more house to do.
I work on one section at a time, just so that this old body doesn’t start to feel overwhelmed. It’s encouraging for me to be able to look back and see how nice the finished product looks and inspires me to keep working.
As always, please feel free to share this blog with your friends, as well as on Facebook and Pinterest the more the merrier!
I appreciate you stopping by.
gail says
great tips! I like that you’re taking your time, that’s exactly how I would do it.
The new color looks very pretty.
gail
Kathy says
Love this – I’ll have to look for that product – we have some places that need painting and spent hours scraping! Old paint – old house – lots of peeling! I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
btw – had problems leaving message on your other post – home tour – I’ll try back later!
Stacey says
Great tips – yes, we likely wouldn’t think about these things!
Thanks for linking up!
Stacey of Embracing Change
Christine says
Great tip to start one side and finish it before starting the next. I’m going to have to look into that primer.. it looks quite interesting! Why did they suggest it to you?
Thank you so very much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream to Reality! 🙂
Lissa says
Very useful tips – Pinning to my Pinterest board for future reference 🙂 thank you!
Julie @ Knot All That I Seam says
Thank you for this tute! I want to paint outside but had no idea. You make it look so easy! Thank you for inspiring me. x Julie
Debbie says
A lot of work but so worth it! Looks wonderful and I love your choice of colour!!
Sheila says
Love the new color and you did a fantastic job. I have been wanting to paint my house exterior too but the house is 70 years old and has much alligatoring and paint build up…It’s going to be a very hard and time consuming job and so I have been procrastinating. LOL
Rosemary says
Looks great. Nice tips.
Amanda @ House Revivals says
Thanks for the tips! I have some exterior painting to this summer, and you’ve inspired me!
malia says
nice color! we recently painted the kids wooden swing set and i found out I’m NOT a fan of painting! lol
Cynthia says
Looks great and I love the color can’t wait to se it finished.
Cynthia
Donnamae says
That’s certainly a lot of work…but it looks great! Really like the color you chose…goes very well with the stone on the chimney!
Shannon Fox says
It’s a lovely color! Great choice. I have heard of bonding primer. When we redo the main house, I plan on using it.
Smart girl. No need to wear yourself thin.
A little at a time.
It’s looking good =)