It's that time of year when we begin to think about being outside again. As a result, we pay closer attention to our homes and how they weathered the winter season. Whether we just want to update our homes or the condition of the home requires new paint, there are some important steps to take to prep and paint your home. 

Aside from calling a painting contractor and having him or her tackle the job, you will need to make a thorough assessment of your home's exterior. It's a good idea to take a clip board and make notes as you make your assessment. Once you have made any structural repairs to the home, you'll want to make sure your home's existing paint is not lead paint. If the home was built before 1978 it could have lead paint, in which case, you will need to find a professional who can advise you on how to work with lead paint safely.

Depending upon the condition of your home's paint, you may need to scrape the loose paint before pressure washing your home. If extensive scraping is needed, it is advisable to cover the ground with proper plastic and fabric to catch the debris. It's a good idea to sand over the scraped portion to smooth the surface where paint meets wood.

 Now it’s time to pressure wash your home. This will remove any dirt, grime, or loose paint that may interfere with paint adhesion.

 Once the home exterior is fully dry you can begin painting your home with a primer.

TIP: If you are painting a darker paint, have your primer tinted; this will minimize coats needed to achieve the desired color. Zibra has designed a wide variety of paint brushes that are perfect for all of your exterior painting: the 2.5" Angled Sash, maximum load 2" Chiseled Wedge, the Triangle brush for all of the corners and where the siding laps, and specialty brushes for different types of trim work.

After you apply your primer, spend time patching holes and cracks in the exterior with the proper filler for better adhesion.

 The final phase is the exciting part and it's when your home comes alive again. We like to paint all the trim first before painting the siding. Our recommendation as well is to paint from top down. Now that your job is done and your home is sealed and painted, you can relax and enjoy the sunshine with a beautiful new exterior!

Zibra Square Brush great for painting windows and window grids.

Zibra 2’ Chiseled Wedge provides maximum load for long runs and is great for lap siding.

The Best Brushes For Painting Your Home!

Trim

Chiseled Wedge

Triangle

Square