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Step 1
Repair or replace any damaged surfaces, whether wood, stucco, masonry or metal.
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Step 2
Wash off all surfaces. Use a high-pressure water sprayer (available to rent) to reduce labor. Make sure that surfaces dry thoroughly.
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Step 3
Use sandpaper or a paint scraper to remove any loose, cracked, chipping or blistered paint - down to raw surfaces if necessary. Use a small drop cloth as you go to catch loose bits of paint and debris. If you decide the exterior needs to be sandblasted, hire a licensed professional.
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Step 4
Patch all nail or screw holes, gouges and cracks.
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Step 5
Caulk such places as seams and corners, above door and window trim, and where trim meets siding - or where any material meets a different kind of material, such as trim over masonry. (Exception: Don't use caulk where siding or shingles overlap or between shingles.) Use high-grade exterior caulk. Better caulks (such as silicone) actually bond to surfaces like glue and resist breaking down.
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Step 6
Use epoxy filler (the material used for car bodies) to repair serious problems in woodwork.
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Step 7
Cover dark stains - a wood knot, old paint, wood stain - with a stain-blocking primer. The same goes for mildewed areas; you can find primers and additives made especially for mildew.
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Step 8
Sand all rough or glossy surfaces; paint needs a slightly roughened surface to stick to. You can also use paint deglosser on all glossy surfaces. Remove sanding dust and debris.
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Step 9
Remove or cover all light fixtures, plumbing outlets, electrical covers and house numbers.
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Step 10
Remove all screens. You don't want to get paint on them; it's difficult (or impossible) to remove.
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Step 11
Use drop cloths to cover everything you don't want to paint, such as plants, walkways, cars and your neighbors' property.
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Step 12
Apply primer over all raw surfaces. Note that different surfaces - paint, metal, wood, stucco - require different primers.
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Step 13
Allow the primer to dry, then apply at least two coats of exterior paint. Let each coat dry between applications according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use a brush on all woodwork and a paint roller or spray machine for everything else.








Comments
dummy2 said
on 5/27/2009 I have a whole article on Caulk in Home and Garden Please read it Caulk in the Spring
peterpgc said
on 3/23/2009 i've been hearing a lot about the paint glider paint tray (http://www.paintglider.com). does anyone know if this is any good? the article doesn't mention what sort of equipment is best to use. i don't know how much of a difference it makes using a flat tray or a paint glider tray. has anyone used the paint glider paint tray?
bigspencer said
on 3/9/2009 Good info, thanks
citizen477 said
on 4/5/2008 I am getting ready to close on a house that needs a little T.L.C, and all this amazing information is sure to help. Thanks guys!
citizen477 said
on 4/5/2008 I'm getting ready to purchase a fixer-upper and all this advice is amazing! Thanks, guys!