Quality Prep Work
What Prep Work is Necessary?
Exterior painting prep work process.
1. Power Wash
We come out about in advance of the scheduled start date and power wash the entire house. This does not mean simply standing at the base of the house and wetting down the wood. This means actually climbing up ladders and spraying away any dirt or grime that may have accumulated over the years. Also note that we make sure to spray at a safe pressure so as to not blast away any wood or cause any damage. This process usually takes between 2-4 hours.
2. Scraping
On our first day on the job we start off by scraping away any failing paint. We do so with drop clothes down so as to collect any paint chips. We take precautions to make sure we are simply chipping away loose paint and NOT damaging any wood.
3. Sanding
After scraping away loose paint, we have to make sure that the surface is smooth. We do so by sanding down any rough areas or areas that have been scraped. We usually do this by feather sanding (by hand) so as to be as gentle as possible on the surface; although there are instances especially on older houses where a power sander is requested.
4. Caulking
In order to prevent an moisture from getting behind the wood, we use a 40 year caulk to seal any vulnerable areas which were intended to be sealed.
5. Priming
After the surface is cleaned, scraped, and sanded we apply primer to any spots of bare wood. This helps ensure that the paint will fully adhere to the surface.