DO take the time to remove the old paint from the rental property’s exterior. The experts at Five Star Painting say that the prep work you do before you start to paint is the most important part of the process. You’ll have to figure out what type of paint your rental currently has and how old it is. The explanation for this is that any paint dating from 1978 or before has lead in it and can make you sick if you just start scraping away. Another consideration is the building material of the exterior; as an example, if your home has asbestos siding, you may need a professional to do the job.
There are several different ways to remove old and peeling paint, from scraping or power washing to chemicals to heat guns. Take the time to determine which method is advised for your property– considering all its characteristics– and buy the right tools to get the job done faster and easier.
DON’T forget to measure carefully to ensure you have enough paint to finish the job properly. Plan to have extra paint because touch-ups, without a doubt, will be needed. If you’re going for more than one coat, then plan to have enough paint to cover the entire surface twice. A good quality exterior paint is also very important. Don’t use cheap paint. Peeling or fading occurs almost instantly with low-quality paint, and the hard work and time you put in will all be wasted.
DO seal all surfaces and caulk where necessary, and apply a primer as well. At Five Star Painting, their specialists recommend this step for exterior surfaces because of the unique characteristic that primers have– that it will help seal exterior walls including newly repaired spots. On top of that, it will give the paint something to adhere to.
DON’T rush through the job. Sometimes, impatience gets the better of us and we want the job finished right away, so we apply a primer or paint to an exterior too soon after paint removal. Exterior surfaces need time to dry completely before moving on to the next step, or you’ll be putting the paint job on the line. It might appear blotchy and unprofessional.
DO fix whatever needs to be fixed before repainting the exterior of your rental property. It may be as straightforward as power washing your siding, but you may be also required to sand the entire outside of the house and use a piece of cloth to wipe all surfaces down. It’s exactly the same as painting an interior wall; you must have a clean and dry surface before any painting can begin.
DON’T let your time and money go to waste by starting an exterior painting job without the proper knowledge and skills. If you don’t have the extra time or experience required to perform the job correctly, consider hiring professionals to do it for you. A botched exterior paint job will result in a greater expense than any amount you’d spend on professionals.
DO choose Real Property Management Metro West-Worcester to do the job for you. Instead of spending all that time and hassle trying to DIY the project, our team of experts has connections with top-quality businesses in Sudbury who offer quality exterior painting services at a good price. Don’t hesitate to contact us online or give us a ring at 508-329-6000 to know more about what we can do for you.