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DIY: How To Paint Your Home’s Exterior

Painting Exterior

Paying for painters can be an expensive ordeal and painting can actually be fun! This article will explain the best way to paint an outdoor space on your own with as little risk as possible.

It will feature various hacks and tricks to minimise mess and avoid a disaster.

Painting Exterior

Paying for painters can be an expensive ordeal and painting can actually be fun! This article will explain the best way to paint an outdoor space on your own with as little risk as possible. It will feature various hacks and tricks to minimise mess and avoid a disaster.


Tips for Painting the Outside of Your House

Step 1: Pressure Wash Walls

When it comes to painting exterior walls, we recommend pressure washing your walls prior to beginning your painting. This is an important step as it will remove any dirt, grim or loose paint that is currently across your walls. Pressure washing is a simple task that can be done in a short amount of time, and it can also save you a lot of hassle later down the road. Be sure to reach all easy to miss places, including window trims, under gutters and around any pylons if you plan to paint these as well. Hiring a pressure washer is quite easy as they can be found at many hardware stores and are available for an affordable price that will also save you time and effort.

Step 2: Remove Loose Paint

Before you start painting exterior wood or painting exterior concrete, you will need to ensure all loose paint is completely removed. Removing loose paint ensures that your new layers will adhere to your exterior walls without a problem. After pressure washing your walls, the majority of any loose paint should already fall loose leaving you with a clean slate. However, if there are still sections that require a little more hard labour, we suggest using a scraper or flat knife to pry loose any remaining paint. Sandpaper can also be used to assist in this process and is particularly useful on timber slats & walls.


Step 1: Pressure Wash Walls

When it comes to painting exterior walls, we recommend pressure washing your walls prior to beginning your painting. This is an important step as it will remove any dirt, grim or loose paint that is currently across your walls. Pressure washing is a simple task that can be done in a short amount of time, and it can also save you a lot of hassle later down the road. Be sure to reach all easy to miss places, including window trims, under gutters and around any pylons if you plan to paint these as well. Hiring a pressure washer is quite easy as they can be found at many hardware stores and are available for an affordable price that will also save you time and effort.

Step 2: Remove Loose Paint

Before you start painting exterior wood or painting exterior concrete, you will need to ensure all loose paint is completely removed. Removing loose paint ensures that your new layers will adhere to your exterior walls without a problem. After pressure washing your walls, the majority of any loose paint should already fall loose leaving you with a clean slate. However, if there are still sections that require a little more hard labour, we suggest using a scraper or flat knife to pry loose any remaining paint. Sanding sponges can also be used to assist in this process and is particularly useful on timber slats & walls.



Step 3: Protect Doors, Windows & Lights

Now that you have a clean canvas, it is time to protect any surfaces, furniture or flooring that could potentially be in a splash zone. We recommend using drop sheets to protect flooring such as a deck area or tiles & pavements, as well as moving any outdoor furniture to avoid any accidents. We also recommend using painter’s tape around any edges or cornices to avoid any mistakes. We would use painter’s tape around windows, doors & gutters to ensure everything remains separate. Once appropriately covered and taped down, you can begin painting exterior walls!

Step 4: Paint the Exterior

Before you start to lay down your first coat of paint, we would recommend applying a layer of primer. Simply put, primer is a base layer used to treat your walls before applying your regular exterior wall paint to ensure better adhesion. Our Prep Plus is the perfect solution for this step, as it also works as an absorbent layer to ensure you only need to apply 2 coats of your exterior paint, which would otherwise soak into porous surfaces. Allow your primer to properly dry before beginning your painting. So, if you’re wondering ‘should you paint when it’s raining’? No, no you should not. All surfaces must completely dry before applying your next layer. 3 hours of drying should be enough time for you to begin your painting, however this will also depend on the weather.

Hot Tips

Once properly primed and dried, it is time to start with your first layer of paint! Before you start, be sure to mix your paint well (using your complimentary stirring stick of course!) until the colour is harmonious and thick looking. We recommend using a paint brush at this point to simply outline any trims or cornices. This is where your painter’s tape will come in handy, as it will offer a guide and clean line to work with. Once properly blocked out, you can start with the larger surface areas!

Fill a paint tray about half way and begin to coat your roller, tapping off any excess and begin to apply to your cleaned surface. Pick a side to begin and make your way across your wall in large columns. The best way to achieve a smooth finish is to roll in a large zig-zag pattern, as if you were drawing a stretched out M or W - overlapping with each roll as you go. When it comes to reloading your roller, restart your painting on a dry spot before rolling back over an existing patch to avoid excess paint in areas.

Once your initial coat is done, allow your wall to appropriately dry before starting your second coat. Depending on the existing wall colour, how much was removed prior to starting, and the colour of your new wall paint - 2 to 3 coats should be more than enough to ensure good coverage that will last.

Step 3: Protect Doors, Windows & Lights

Now that you have a clean canvas, it is time to protect any surfaces, furniture or flooring that could potentially be in a splash zone. We recommend using drop sheets to protect flooring such as a deck area or tiles & pavements, as well as moving any outdoor furniture to avoid any accidents. We also recommend using painter’s tape around any edges or cornices to avoid any mistakes. We would use painter’s tape around windows, doors & gutters to ensure everything remains separate. Once appropriately covered and taped down, you can begin painting exterior walls!

Step 4: Paint the Exterior

Before you start to lay down your first coat of paint, we would recommend applying a layer of primer. Simply put, primer is a base layer used to treat your walls before applying your regular exterior wall paint to ensure better adhesion. Our Prep Plus is the perfect solution for this step, as it also works as an absorbent layer to ensure you only need to apply 2 coats of your exterior paint, which would otherwise soak into porous surfaces. Allow your primer to properly dry before beginning your painting. So, if you’re wondering ‘should you paint when it’s raining’? No, no you should not. All surfaces must completely dry before applying your next layer. 3 hours of drying should be enough time for you to begin your painting, however this will also depend on the weather.

Hot Tips

Once properly primed and dried, it is time to start with your first layer of paint! Before you start, be sure to mix your paint well (using your complimentary stirring stick of course!) until the colour is harmonious and thick looking. We recommend using a paint brush at this point to simply outline any trims or cornices. This is where your painter’s tape will come in handy, as it will offer a guide and clean line to work with. Once properly blocked out, you can start with the larger surface areas!

Fill a paint tray about half way and begin to coat your roller, tapping off any excess and begin to apply to your cleaned surface. Pick a side to begin and make your way across your wall in large columns. The best way to achieve a smooth finish is to roll in a large zig-zag pattern, as if you were drawing a stretched out M or W - overlapping with each roll as you go. When it comes to reloading your roller, restart your painting on a dry spot before rolling back over an existing patch to avoid excess paint in areas.

Once your initial coat is done, allow your wall to appropriately dry before starting your second coat. Depending on the existing wall colour, how much was removed prior to starting, and the colour of your new wall paint - 2 to 3 coats should be more than enough to ensure good coverage that will last.


Explore the Exterior Wall Paint Range


Step 5: Paint the Trims & Doors

Time for the final step on how to transform outdoor spaces - and that is revamping those window trims, doors and even your gutters! Now that you have gorgeous new walls, you should take this as an opportunity to revitalise your trims and perhaps even opt for a new colour to match your fresh look. When it comes to your facade, we recommend selecting a colour palette that compliments the rest of your garden and driveaway, as well as tying in with the rest of your home once inside. If you have gone with a white exterior wall, opting for another neutral colour or even a contrasting trim adds dimension and character to your home. If you have selected a darker colour to be the main wall colour we recommend a lighter, neutral colour or even a variation of white to compliment this modern look.

Step 5: Paint the Trims & Doors

Time for the final step on how to transform outdoor spaces - and that is revamping those window trims, doors and even your gutters! Now that you have gorgeous new walls, you should take this as an opportunity to revitalise your trims and perhaps even opt for a new colour to match your fresh look. When it comes to your facade, we recommend selecting a colour palette that compliments the rest of your garden and driveaway, as well as tying in with the rest of your home once inside. If you have gone with a white exterior wall, opting for another neutral colour or even a contrasting trim adds dimension and character to your home. If you have selected a darker colour to be the main wall colour we recommend a lighter, neutral colour or even a variation of white to compliment this modern look.


Explore the Trim Paint Range


Step 6: Step Back & Admire

And that's it! Once completely dry you can take a step back, put down those paint brushes and admire your painting skills. Take note of any areas that might have been missed or need a little touch up and fix where needed. Once finished, use your resealable bag that your Tint products were delivered in to store your used paint brushes and rollers once thoroguhly washed. We also recommended storing any excess paint in a cool and covered space. Now the very last step is to check your inside walls and consider giving them a revamp too!  

Step 6: Step Back & Admire

And that's it! Once completely dry you can take a step back, put down those paint brushes and admire your painting skills. Take note of any areas that might have been missed or need a little touch up and fix where needed. Once finished, use your resealable bag that your Tint products were delivered in to store your used paint brushes and rollers once thoroguhly washed. We also recommended storing any excess paint in a cool and covered space. Now the very last step is to check your inside walls and consider giving them a revamp too!  


Time to finish your outdoor project with some finishing touches!
Check out some of our favourite pieces that complete your outside areas in a matter of minutes.

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