How Long Should Exterior Painting Last?

A high quality exterior paint job can greatly progress the curb appeal of your home. A home with excellent exterior finish can grab the attention of your neighbor. At the same time, a home with poor exterior can become a neighborhood eyesore. An exterior paint job may cost a lot. Therefore, no homeowner wants to repaint the exterior of their house too often. The best way to avoid repainting the exterior of your house too often is to have proper knowledge about exterior painting techniques and maintenance. A good paint job may last for years, while a poorly done exterior paint job can force you to repaint your house in just a couple of years. However, knowing how to prepare your surface properly before applying paint and proper maintenance for the painted surface afterward can extend the life of the paint job significantly.

Good Preparation:

Preparation is the key to achieving a long-lasting exterior paint job. If you apply paint on dirty, greasy, chalky exterior surfaces, this will surely weaken the paint’s ability to adhere to the surface. If you don’t prepare the surface properly, paint will properly adhere to the surface and you will receive a uneven paint job, that will be prone to chipping and flaking in the long run. No matter whether you are a DIY painter or hiring a professional exterior painting contractor, you should make sure that proper preparation is done to the surface.

Kind Of Paint You Use:

The longevity of the paint job may also depend on the kind of paint you are using. Typically, acrylic latex paint is considered the idea choice for most exterior painting. Acrylic latex paint is also considered the most versatile since they can be used on both water or oil based primers. Acrylic paint doesn’t harden over time, this can help avoid blistering. Acrylic paint doesn’t even mildew as easily as oil-based paints.

Use Primer:

Priming also helps the exterior paint job lasts long days. Unless the old paint on your home’s exterior is still in the good condition, you should apply high quality primer beneath the color top coats. Priming is especially important for new and previously unpainted areas. Primer is necessary since it actually works as a base coat. It also helps remove any surface imperfections and increases the chances of paint adhesion, actually making the paint to avoid chipping, bubbling, and flaking. You can use oil or water based primer when you are using acrylic latex based paint.

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