Glamorous and Artful Home

Tackling an exterior paint job needs a great deal of planning and close study of weather conditions for an end result that will be both attractive and long lasting. The worst conditions are extreme heat and cold. The weather could be the deciding factor that can make or break the outcome of your exterior paint job. It goes without saying that it is vital to check the local weather forecast as part of your pre-painting preparation for an exterior paint session. The ideal conditions for such a venture are a day with mild temperatures, low humidity and little or no wind.

Elements such as the sun, rain, snow and wind all take a toll on the exterior facade of a house leading to considerable wear and tear. Exposure to UV rays cause exterior paint to fade, chalk and lose its original glow. Also, temperature variation results in expansion and contraction of the surface resulting in cracking of paint.

Surface preparation

For professional results, it is essential to prepare the exterior surface beforehand by thoroughly cleaning the surfaces preferably with a bleach solution or a pressure washer to remove dirt, mold and mildew. Proper preparation also includes scraping as much old paint as possible and repairing chips, cracks, splinters, etc. Let the surface dry out completely. Using an appropriate primer is equally important.

After painting, the surface should have enough time to dry out before the evening dew sets in. If the surface paint has not thoroughly dried out, the paint tends to fade fast, resulting in loss of gloss and appearance. Hence painting should ideally begin early in the day to be concluded early enough. The general practice is to paint the exteriors in the shade since exposure to the sun and wind can cause paint to dry rapidly leading to an uneven texture with marks and blisters.

Better formulated weather-resistant paints

Till recently, painting in cold weather was a very uncertain proposition, with painters postponing their exterior painting jobs until spring. The north side of the home is especially vulnerable since it gets the least sunshine. Now with specially formulated paints and primers and with cold-weather coating systems made especially to withstand temperatures as low as 35°F readily available, painting contractors can have an extended painting season. Thus it becomes easier to meet deadlines, without having to experience any fall in revenues.

Modern paints are formulated to withstand extreme weather conditions. Most exterior latex paints are fast drying and more resilient although they require some time to settle in before getting rained on or exposed to a high degree of sunlight. Acrylic-based paints are more resistant to sunlight and fading. Oil paints need longer time to cure than acrylics but spread more smoothly, allowing paint contractors a greater degree of work flexibility.

Exterior house paint must be strong enough to withstand the most extreme conditions that nature bestows. The best possible exterior house painting results are dependent not just on good surface preparation, the best quality paints and equipment but also on ideal weather conditions.

A full service painting company in the Greater Bay Area, Custom Painting Inc is experienced in all facets of house painting from exteriors to interiors as well as maintenance jobs. Our high quality service for demanding circumstances in colder temperatures guarantees that the paint will not peel, chip, or chalk for at least one year. While we work on the exteriors, you can live in your home without any interruptions to your daily schedule. All of our work is covered with a 5 year guarantee on the workmanship and product. We use the highest quality Kelly-Moore Paints™. A free computer generated color consultation is included with every paint job.

Talk to a color professional at Custom Painting today at 800-944-0646 for all your exterior home painting needs.