Painting the exterior of your home represents a significant investment that enhances curb appeal, protects against weather elements, and increases property value. The quality and longevity of a fresh coat of exterior paint depend heavily on how well the surfaces are prepared. Proper surface preparation is crucial, especially in the Charlotte area, where weather conditions can be challenging. For the best results with your exterior painting project, hiring a professional and reputable Charlotte-based painting company like Glenny’s Painting will guarantee you will get beautiful, long lasting results. Below we explain why surface preparation is essential and how to do it right for your Charlotte home.
Why surface preparation matters with exterior painting?
There are several reasons why surface preparation is important:
Paint adherence
The best, most expensive type of exterior paint can be applied to your exterior surfaces, but if the surfaces are not prepped properly, that new coat of paint won’t adhere to surfaces as it should and will fail prematurely. Removing surface contaminants such as dirt, dust, mildew, and loose old paint is necessary to create a clean and smooth surface for the new paint to adhere to. Without this step, the paint may peel or blister prematurely.
Longetivity
Painting the exterior of your home, especially when you hire professionals like the ones at Glenny’s Painting, is an investment you want to last for many years. Properly prepped surfaces ensure that the paint job will withstand the test of time. This is particularly important in Charlotte, where the humid summers and wet winters can be harsh on exterior paint.
Aesthetics
A well-prepared surface results in a smooth, more uniform and more attractive finish. This is crucial for maintaining the aesthetic appeal of homes in Charlotte’s picturesque neighborhoods. A botched job will never look good and has the potential to create structural damage. Glenny’s Painting is the best value for exterior painting in Charlotte. Our prices for exterior painting are very reasonable and the quality of our work and professionalism is second to none.
Prevents mold and mildew growth
Charlotte’s humid climate can promote mold and mildew growth. Thorough cleaning and treatment of exterior surfaces before painting help prevent these issues, ensuring a healthier environment for your family.
How are exterior surfaces prepared for painting?
Preparing exterior surfaces is a multi-step process that require attention to details and excellent workmanship.
Power washing
Surfaces should be power washed to remove remove dirt, grime, mildew, as well as loose paint. Charlotte’s climate can lead to the buildup of organic matter on exterior surfaces, making this step essential. Because mildew can be present at a microscopic level on exterior surfaces, a cleaning solution should be used to aid the removal of unwanted organic growth.
Once power washed, exterior surfaces should be left to dry before the next step can take place.
Scraping and sanding
In order for the new coat of paint to bond to surfaces, all lose and peeling paint should be removed by scraping it off. Depending on the condition of the previous coat of paint, this process can be labor-some and should be followed with sanding which will also require some additional work. When sanding surfaces, rough areas should be sanded down and any remaining paint from the previous coat should feathered to a uniform surface for better paint adhesion.
Repairing damage and filling up cracks
Holes and cracks on exterior surfaces should be filled with a quality exterior filler. This step is crucial in older Charlotte homes where wood siding may have developed imperfections over time.
If decayed surfaces are found, they need to be replaced. Painting over decayed surfaces to conceal decay won’t help prevent further surface deterioration and could lead to substantial structural issues with time.
Priming surfaces
The correct primer should be applied to surfaces to ensure great results. The correct primer for the application should be used. Primer will seal exterior surfaces, block stains and provide a uniform base for the topcoat.
When preparing exterior surfaces for painting, keeping in mind Charlotte’s climate plays a significant role. The city experiences hot, humid summers and mild to cold winters, with significant rainfall throughout the year. These conditions can lead to unique challenges that must be addressed during the surface preparation process. The high humidity levels in Charlotte can foster mold and mildew growth on exterior surfaces. Cleaning and treating these areas before painting is crucial to prevent mold from spreading beneath the new paint layer. Charlotte’s varying temperatures can cause exterior materials to expand and contract, leading to cracks and gaps. Proper surface preparation, including filling and sealing these areas, ensures a more durable paint job.
If you live in Charlotte or nearby and are considering painting the exterior of your home, call Glenny’s Painting to request a quote. Our prices are fair and the quality of our work is one of the best you can find in Charlotte. We paint siding, brick, stucco as well as stain exterior wood surfaces. View some of latest work.
