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The paint label will provide coverage information (square metres per litre) and you can assume all surfaces will require at least two coats.
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For the perfect rendered wall, any y cracks will need to be filled and sanded back for a quality finish
and trims, you’ll likely be painting over older gloss paint. “For best results, sand your surfaces thoroughly and dust off before painting,” she says. Flaking paintwork may need to be scraped right back, but it’s not always easy to tell if the paint is sound. Matt Browell, category development manager at Taubmans, has this handy test: “To check the adhesion of the old paint, use a sharp blade to cut an X about 5cm in size through the old paint. Put some painter’s masking tape over the cut and push on it firmly. Quickly pull the tape off. If the edges of the cut area have lifted, you’ll need to scrape and sand back.” Fill any dents or holes in the surface with an exterior-grade
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Choose the right paint Only use paints designed for exteriors and stick with acrylic-based paints – such as Taubmans All Weather Exterior, British Paints 4 Seasons or Dulux Weathershield – as they are easier to work with and clean up. Some surfaces, such as metal or plastic downpipes, may require pre-painting with special undercoats or primers.
Alternate between a pair of brushes, leaving one in a bucket of water, to keep you on track
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filler. “Use acrylic sealants for cracks or gaps in areas where there may be movement such as near doors and windows,” says Matt. “Be sure to use paintable sealants, not silicone, on areas you wish to paint.” Unpainted surfaces may require sanding, cleaning and undercoating before painting.
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Prepare and set up The best way to make the painting process run smoothly is to ensure you have a clear run. Move outdoor furniture and prune or tie back any branches in your way. Use painter’s tape to mask off areas that need protection. If using spray equipment (see our guide to paint sprayers on page 58), tape plastic sheeting over windows to protect them. Consider your height access. Ladders will generally suffice for single-storey homes, or you can use trestles and planks. For higher areas, portable scaffold towers are quite simple to set up, use and move.
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Grab that roller! Look at the forecast before painting – and not just in case of rain – as you shouldn’t paint
hot surfaces. “The wall temperature can vary from the weather temperature and must be above 10°C and below 35°C throughout the process,” says Steph Brodie of Dulux. Ideally switch the areas you are working on as the sun moves so you remain in a shaded area. Paint from the top down, starting with the gutters, then the fascia (the board under the gutter) and eaves (between the fascia and the wall). “Next, move onto the walls,” says Matt. “The equipment required here is dependent on the nature of the surface you’re painting. Weatherboards will need to be painted with a small roller, brush or spray, while brick and render can be painted with sprays or extra-long nap rollers.” Tackle the trims and windows last, making sure the windows are open so they don’t get glued shut. It’s important to leave enough drying time between coats. Use the information on the paint tin as a guide.
Photography (top) Getty Images/BertrandB, (bottom) GAP Photos/Juliette Wade. Paint colours may vary on application
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