Water could still seep in if you merely fill and repair cracked or split boards. Prime bare wood using the primer recommended by the paint manufacturer, or skip priming by using a high-performing self-priming paint. Scrape away dried and cracked caulk around windows, doors, and trim. Allow to dry for several days before painting. Scrape out rotted areas and fill them with wood filler, then sand smooth. Wearing gloves, a mask, and eye protection, scrub away the mildew. Mix a solution of chlorine bleach and water, or use a commercial cleaner. Otherwise, scrub the surface with a wire brush or scrub pad, or very carefully with a pressure washer, and clean with a detergent such as Red Devil TSP. (See CR’s step-by-step guide for using a test kit to check for lead paint.) In that case, you’ll need to use a certified lead-abatement contractor to prep the surface. And if your house was built before 1978, there might be lead paint below the surface. Dirt, mildew, and chalky old paint prevent fresh paint from adhering properly. Cover plantings, air conditioners, and exhaust vents with drop cloths. “If you can’t keep the palm of your hand on the exterior wall of your house for more than a few seconds, it’s too hot to paint,” de Paz says.Ĭheck the label on the paint can for any instructions on the ideal temperature range, and follow de Paz’s tips, below, for how to prep for a DIY exterior paint job. You will, however, want to pay attention to the surface temperature of the exterior walls of your house. Some manufacturers now claim that certain paints will cure in temperatures as low as 35° F.Īnd what about an upper limit? For summer days-say, when temperatures hit 90° F-there’s no hard and fast rule about how hot is too hot outdoors. But watch the daily lows to be sure that there’s no chance of the temperature dropping below 40° F anytime over the next couple of days. If you’re down south in a state like Florida, you could extend painting into winter. There’s also less likelihood that you’ll encounter temps dipping too low. “The weather is warm and the sun is not strong enough to overheat the surface that you are trying to paint,” he says.
According to de Paz, spring and fall are the ideal seasons for painting just about everywhere in the country. Depending on your local conditions, repainting can be a great part of your spring cleaning projects for the year.
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