Surface Preparation and Careful Paint Color Selection; Key Factors for Exterior House Painting Success

Computer Color Matching Technology for Exact Paint Color Match
When it is time to repaint the house, choosing exterior paint colors that will compliment your home is a key success factor for any finished exterior painting project.

If your current paint color combination already achieves that distinct flair, computer technology has brought ease of color matching in almost every type and brand name of exterior home paint. Simply bring the color exterior paint sample you want to match, such as a small piece of trim, to a paint store.

The paint department clerk can match the exact color using a special computer scanner. The computer analyzes the paint color sample, and then provides color mix instructions to duplicate that precise color. The clerk can then custom mix the best exterior paint for the job.

For ease of selecting exterior paint color, most paint stores also have an extensive paint color chart from which to make just the right color selection to compliment your home.

Success Depends on Thorough Preparation

Exterior house paint rating for quality and type are key factors as to whether or not exterior house paint will stand many years of exposure to outside elements. Another important factor is proper and thorough preparation of the exterior surface prior to painting. This requires a close inspection and evaluation of the current condition of the existing paint surface.

Painted surfaces soiled by accumulated dirt, cobwebs, soot, mold or mildew, oxidized paint or chalking, must be thoroughly cleaned using a mild detergent and medium soft brush. Or the use of a a power wash machine to power wash the surface. Sometimes cleaning your home using a power washer will reveal that it is not really necessary to repaint for a few more years.

Existing exterior paint that shows signs of paint failure or minor cracking in the top layers of paint may involve minor old paint removal efforts. Old paint showing extreme signs of blistering and peeling down to the wood or other substrate beneath will need to be completely removed.

There are several methods for removing old paint; including scraping, sanding, chemical removers, and the application of heat. Special care must be taken when using chemical removers because of toxicity. Special precautions must also be taken with some types of heat application, such as torches, for obvious reasons.

Surfaces where old paint has been removed either completely or partially will need 1-2 primer coats before exterior house paint application.

Getting the Job Done

While some homeowners will opt to undertake this involved exterior painting process as a DIY project, many others seek the services of a residential painting contractor.

When seeking a Toronto painting contractor, an Alberta contractor, or a professional Quebec house painter, the best resource in Canada for finding reliable local contractors is HandyCanadian.com

Whether seeking a design professional to help in selecting a paint color scheme for the exterior of your home, or an exterior painting contractor to get the job done right, HandyCanadian.com can help.

Homeowners simply sign up and post their project online, absolutely free; with no obligation. And then start receiving competitive bids in days, even hours after posting. To sign up and get the ball rolling on your painting project now, click here.

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