How An Exterior Painter Ensures A Clean And Professional Paint Job
As with most painting jobs, exterior painting requires a certain level of prep work before any paint even hits the surface. A clean surface will result in a better-looking, longer-lasting paint job.
Here are some of the ways exterior painters make sure they do a clean and professional job.
Use of Proper Drop Cloths
One of the first things an exterior painter will do is lay down drop cloths. This protects any areas that aren't being painted, like walkways, driveways, and plants. As the painter starts to paint the exterior of the house, some paint will likely end up near the job site. Paint can splash and drip, so it's important that these areas are protected.
Not all drop cloths are created equal, however. Make sure to ask the painter about what kind of drop cloths they use. You want to make sure they are using ones that are heavy enough to stay in place and won't blow away in the wind.
Some exterior painters will use plastic sheeting, but this can be dangerous because it can cause people to slip and fall. A better option is to use canvas drop cloths, which are more durable and won't cause any accidents.
Canvas drop cloths should be placed around the entire perimeter of the house. This way, no matter where the exterior painter is working, there will be a drop cloth to catch any paint.
To reach high areas, exterior painters will also use ladders, scaffolding, or cherry pickers. These should also be covered with drop cloths to prevent any paint from getting on them. The painter will often tape the drop cloths down. This way, if any paint does get on them, it won't end up somewhere it shouldn't be.
Pressure Washing
The next step in prepping for exterior painting is pressure washing the surface. This will remove any dirt, dust, or pollen that has built up on the exterior of the house. Pressure washing will also remove any loose paint so the new paint will have a clean surface to adhere to.
If you have a brick home, it's especially important to pressure wash before painting. This is because bricks are porous and can absorb paint. If they aren't cleaned before painting, the paint will likely not adhere properly and will start to chip off soon after.
However, some pressure washers are too powerful and can damage the exterior of your home. A good exterior painter will have a light-duty pressure washer that is just powerful enough to clean the surface without damage.
After pressure washing, the exterior painter will let the surface dry completely before starting to paint. They rely on their vast experience to estimate how long this will take. If the surface is even slightly damp, the paint won't adhere properly and will start to peel off soon after.
If you have any questions about how an exterior painter prepares for a job, be sure to ask them. A good exterior painter will be happy to explain their process and put your mind at ease. After all, they want you to be satisfied with the final product!
For more info about exterior painting, contact a local company.
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