Guide To Repainting The Faded Paint On Your Exterior in Milford, CT

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October 8, 2024

Your home’s exterior is constantly exposed to the elements, and over time, even the highest quality paint will fade.

Whether it’s from harsh UV rays, wind, rain, or temperature changes, faded exterior paint can make your home look older than it is.

But repainting your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

So, to help you rejuvenate your home, here’s a Guide to Repainting the Faded Paint on Your Exterior.

1. Evaluate the Condition of Your Exterior

Before jumping right into your repainting project, you’ll want to take a step back first and evaluate the current overall condition of your exterior.

While faded paint might be the most visible sign of wear and tear, other paint issues such as peeling, cracking, and presence of molds might be underlying and would also need attention.

Start by walking around your home, checking for areas where paint might have completely worn away or chipped.

These spots will likely require extra preparation, such as scraping or sanding, before they can be repainted.

Signs of moisture damage or mold would also indicate a much more comprehensive repair process, and which should be addressed accordingly prior to applying a fresh coat of paint.

While this may sound like tiring work, remember that it is through this process that you get a clear idea of the amount of work you need for your project.

This will essentially give you the chance to plan out the most efficient and effective way to tackle your project and avoid wasting time and resources.

2. Prepare the Surface Properly

After your assessment, you’ll want to proceed with the necessary preparations for your exterior surface.

Proper surface preparation is important to ensure that you’ll have a clean and smooth surface to paint on, and significantly reducing the chances for early signs of paint problems such as paint fading.

To start, you’ll want to clean your exterior surface – dirt, dust, and other kinds of debris will hinder your fresh coat of paint from adhering properly to the surface, so make sure to get these out of the way!

Next, scrape off any loose or peeling paint with a putty knife or a paint scraper, and follow up by sanding these areas to create a smooth surface for painting.

For any signs of damage, fill them with exterior-grade caulk or wood filler and sand them smooth once dry.

3. Prime the Exterior

Priming is a crucial step that’s often overlooked but should never be skipped, especially when repainting faded exterior surfaces.

A coat of primer promotes full coverage, ensuring that you are applying your fresh coat on a clean, blank canvas.

In turn, this results to a brighter paint finish guaranteed to retain its vibrancy for a longer time – significantly reducing the chances for early paint fading.

Thus, in repainting the currently faded coat of paint on your exterior, make sure to use a coat of primer first before proceeding with the new coat of paint.

4. Choose the Right Paint

A factor that often gets lost in the equation when it comes to painting project is the paint formula.

It is important to remember that not all paint are formulated for the same kind of use – there are paint specifically made for interior painting, and ones that are made for exterior projects.

Getting paint specifically made for exterior use is critical since these are formulated to withstand harsh external conditions, and are usually resistant to common signs of wear and tear – such as paint fading.

However, it can be confusing to do this all on your own, especially with all the available paint variations out there – so don’t be shy to approach a paint professional at your local paint store!

5. Apply the Paint Correctly

Lastly, a successful paint finish is not merely determined by the materials you’re using for the project – proper painting techniques is also crucial!

Here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind:

For large, flat areas, using a paint sprayer can save time and provide an even coat. However, if you’re more comfortable with a brush and roller, these tools work just as well, especially for detailed areas like trim or edges.
If you’re using a roller, work in small sections, applying the paint evenly and avoiding excessive pressure that could lead to streaks.
Apply the paint in thin, even coats, allowing each coat to dry completely before adding another. It’s better to apply two or more thin coats than one thick coat, as thick layers are more prone to drips and won’t cure as evenly.
Pay attention to the drying time between coats, which will vary based on the paint’s formulation and weather conditions.