How to Test Paint on the House Exterior

One way to update and change the look of your house is to repaint the exterior. Many people struggle with picking the right color scheme that will complement the design of the house. Testing your paint color on the exterior of your house is a necessary first step to ensuring the correct color, the appropriate type of paint and its proper application.

Things You'll Need

• Paint samples
• Paint brush

Instructions

1. Determine the type of paint you need for your home. Depending on the surface of your house, a variety of options exist. For stucco, use an elastomeric paint. Elastomeric paint forms a durable, tough film that provides a waterproof coating to any structure, including all masonry structures such as stucco, concrete block and brick. For wood and siding, you can use an elastomeric paint or choose a similar high quality exterior solution.

2. Choose a color scheme and select paint colors that are available in the type of paint you will need to paint your house. Try using digital imaging software to test general paint colors on your home before purchasing paint samples.

3. Purchase paint samples at your local hardware store. Make sure to purchase enough to cover a significant sample area. Although larger samples are more expensive, they will give you a better idea of how the color will look on your home and save you money in the long run.

4. Use a paint brush to apply a generous amount of each paint color on an area of your house that you will see throughout the day. For the best results, apply at least a 1-by-1 foot sample of paint. Apply two coats of each sample to get its true color. Remember that you will most likely need to apply a primer to the surface of your home before painting; take this into account when testing colors.

5. View your paint samples at different times during the next few days. The paint will look different on a sunny day as opposed to a cloudy day. Don't jump to conclusions after viewing your paint sample within a few hours of applying the paint.

6. Pick the paint colors you like the most and reapply them on another area of the house. This is important if you chose many different paint samples. It will help determine whether or not you really like the color or simply like it the best out of the samples you painted on your home. You will feel more confident about your decision and give yourself more time to mull over your paint options.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose different shades of a specific color you like instead of that one color and paint them side by side. If you don't like that specific color, you may like a different shade.

• Don't buy paint until you test samples on the exterior of your home. You won't be able to return the paint once you begin painting.

References

• This Old House
• Elastomeric Paint