House painting in general, whether interior or exterior, requires meticulous planning and preparation for anyone keen on achieving pro-level painting results (you can check out Euro Painting, Inc. for professional interior painting and decoration). Painting your home’s exterior can be tricky, even for experienced painters, given the common spills, drips, and splatters on features not targeted by the paint job. An exterior paint job involves expertly working around windows, doors, and gutters to avoid compromising your entire painting appearance and expectations.
While the area surrounding the exterior window panes is small compared to the total exterior surface, painting around it will take a significant portion of the required time. This is mainly due to the preparation process involved, the type of windows in your home, and their overall condition. So, how can you avoid the speckled look on your windows when painting your home’s exterior? Read on to find excellent tips on how to do this and achieve a professional finish for your exterior paint job.
Tip 1: Inspect your Window Frames
Before preparing for the painting, it’s crucial to know the condition of your window frames. This will help you identify any glazing or other parts needing replacement. Also, inspect the sill and hinges for accumulated dirt and cobwebs and give them a thorough clean.
Tip 2: Choose the Correct Tools and Supplies
The quality of any painting job depends greatly on the effectiveness of the tools being used for the project. One common mistake among many DIY homeowners is using an old brush for the job. An old brush will likely lead to poor results and splatter paint all over the place. There are many precision brush types depending on your painting needs. An angled sash paint brush is ideal for painting window frames.
Tip 3: Choose a Perfect Day and Start Early
Fix a day with good weather conditions (preferably dry and cloudy) for the painting and start early. This will provide ample time for the paint to adhere and dry perfectly after you’re done.
Tip 4: Protect the Glass
You can use many effective ways to cover windows and other features during a painting job. You can choose from a range of tape and drape masking films. Choose one with outstanding protection and use it accurately for the best results. A Quality film shouldn’t leave any sticky residue on your windows. The good thing is that masking films work exceptionally well with windows because they stick well.
Tip 5: Prepare the Surface
Typically, any surfaces up for painting should be adequately prepped. This is especially true when painting around windows, given the precision required for the process. You can use a putty knife to remove peeling caulk and flaking from the frame. Good sandpaper should do a superb job in preparing the woodwork. Use a suitable wood filler to fill any holes or damaged areas identified in the preparation.
Tip 6: Don’t Rush
Always take your time – this is the top rule applying to any painting job. Painting exterior window frames is a painting job that demands a lot of preparation before the actual painting. This demands patience and keen attention to detail (assuming you’re looking to achieve the results you can be proud of).
Tip 7: Start from the Top Corner
There are many painting approaches; the one you adopt when painting your window frames will influence the final results. For instance, if you are right-handed, you’ll find it easier and natural to begin from the top left-hand corner. Conversely, if you’re left-handed, starting from the top right-hand corner is easier. Working from your best angle reduces the likelihood of your arm and body brushing against painted surfaces. Also, it’s recommended to paint in one direction to attain a natural overlap.
Tip 8: Clean as you paint
Finally, to further ease the process, adopt a clean-as-you-go painting strategy. Clean the general mess, such as splatters, as you go along. While cleaning after the job is done is still viable, it may be more challenging and ineffective when the paint has dried.
Additional Tips
- A primer will come in handy, especially if the paint around your frames has been completely removed or when switching colors
- Ensure the batch numbers on the paint tin match when replacing your paint after running out
- The hinges should be painted to match the window frame color
- Leave the windows slightly open for at least 24 hours after the painting
Covering outside features such as your doors and windows when painting your home’s exterior is a vital step. While it’s often time-consuming and hectic, it’s worth every effort, considering the time it will save you from scraping off the paint later. Ensure to wait until the paint has fully dried before taking out the cover roll or masking tape.
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