About Exterior Paint

Exterior paint comes in an array of colors and contrasts. Not only is it used for the typical applications, such as painting houses and barns, but it is also applied to trim, doors, jambs and fences.

Function

One of the main functions of exterior paint is to add protection to wood. This is especially important on the exterior of a house. The color is also quite significant. It adds a decorative touch to houses, barns, fences and decks. This can increase the selling value of a property. It may not necessarily be reflected in the market, but it will definitely be seen in the eye of a buyer.

Types

The two main types of exterior paints are oil-based and latex. Oil-based paints are solvent-based, which means that water will not dilute them. Mineral spirits are the most recognized and commonly used solvent. This is important to know when cleaning up brushes, rollers, pans and body parts. Latex paints, on the other hand, can be dissolved and cleaned up with soap and water.

Features

Depending on weather conditions, paint has different drying times. Oil-based paints usually take up to 24 hours to dry. Latex paint can dry relatively quickly, especially on sunny days.

There are four different kinds of sheen a paint can have. "Sheen" is essentially the paint's ability to reflect light. The available types of sheen are gloss, semi-gloss, satin and flat. Gloss has the most sheen; it offers the best resistance to scratches and is the easiest to clean. Flat paint offers the least amount of sheen, and is usually the best choice for hiding scratches and imperfections, such as those on vinyl or aluminum siding.

Identification

There are cold-weather paints on the market: They are latex paints that can withstand temperatures as low as 36 degrees F. They contain special agents that help the film-forming process.

Considerations

Temperature is a major consideration when using exterior paint. Painting with oil-based paints is not recommended when the temperature is below 50 degrees F; for latex paints, the cutoff is 45 degrees.

Stop painting 2 hours before sundown. This is because dew and humidity have a negative effect on drying, especially in the case of latex paints.

Expert Insight

When changing the color of the paint in a large exterior area, such as a house or barn, it is a good idea to buy a small amount first. Apply it to a small area and let it dry. Then wait a few days and make sure the paint doesn't react poorly with the existing color. A new color sometimes doesn't agree with the old one.