HOW TO PREPARE AN EXTERIOR WALL

The exterior of your home should leave you and your visitors with a lasting first impression. In order to achieve a neat, clean finish and an inviting feeling, exterior walls need to be appropriately prepared for painting. The time it takes to prepare exterior walls for painting will depend on the condition of the walls, the surface you’re painting and the environment you’re painting in.

01

Remove pot plants, garden hoses and other items near exterior walls. Cover plants and ground near the wall with plastic or canvas drop cloth to avoid damage. 02

Use a soapy solution to wash walls. Rinse and let dry. 03

Check for mould. Use a sponge to apply a bleach solution and leave the solution for 15 minutes. Rinse and let dry. 04 Assess wall for any damage or surface lumps and bumps. Scrape any peeling or peeling paint and gently sand the surface. 05

Fill dents or nail holes. Use an acrylic gap sealant for cracks and gaps. (Be sure to use paintable sealants and not silicone.) 06

Let the fillers and sealers set and sand the areas. Sand rough or shiny spots for improved paint adhesion and finish. 07

Use Taubmans 3 in 1 Prep to spot prime the filled areas. 08 Apply painters masking tape to fittings that can’t be removed and difficult-to-paint areas such as trims, windows and doors.

Taubmans 3 in 1 Prep

• Blocks tannin bleed

• No sanding required

• Superior adhesion

• Fast drying

To avoid exterior paint blistering or flaking over time, test the existing paint for adhesion before repainting. Cut an ‘X’ through the old paint with a scraper or blade. Apply painters masking tape over the ‘X’ and firmly apply pressure. Remove the tape in a swift motion. If old paint appears on the tape or lifts on the edges of the ‘X’ cut when the tape is removed, it will need to be removed prior to repainting.

For a really effective finish, apply a coat of Taubmans 3 in 1 Prep to the entire wall. This allows for good adhesion and blocks out dark or existing colours, making it easier to paint over and providing a smoother, more professional looking topcoat.

Remember, you’ll need to add a few more materials to the list to complete this step. For large surface areas, you’ll need:

• 230 or 270mm paint roller frame

• Matching roller cover with a 9-12mm nap

• Matching paint tray

• Roller pole

• Suitable for use with all topcoats 5