5 Ways to Prepare Your Home for the Best Exterior Painters in Overland Park–Painting the outside of your home does more than change the color. It protects the wood, boosts curb appeal, and helps keep your siding in good shape. But even the best paint can fail if the prep work isn’t done right.
At Residential Solutions, we’ve been helping families get ready for professional painting projects for years. As a trusted residential exterior painter in Overland Park, we know the steps that make the biggest difference in how long your paint job lasts.
Thinking about refreshing your home’s exterior? Start by preparing the space. A little effort before painting goes a long way. Here are five simple tips to get started.
1. Wash Everything First
This is the part people often skip, but it matters. Dirt, dust, and mildew can keep paint from sticking to the surface. That means your paint might bubble, peel, or fade faster than it should.
We always suggest washing the outside of your home with a pressure washer. You can rent one if you don’t already have it. If that’s not an option, a garden hose and a stiff brush can work too. Just make sure to scrub around trim and under overhangs where grime tends to collect.
A clean surface helps your Overland Park residential exterior painter do better work. It also saves time during the project, which keeps costs lower.
2. Scrape Off Old Paint
Once your home is clean and dry, look for areas where the old paint is peeling or flaking. These spots need to be scraped smooth. Skipping this step creates rough patches that will show through even after multiple coats of paint.
Use a paint scraper or a wire brush to clear away any loose pieces. Focus on wood trim and corners. These areas usually wear out first. Even cabinet refinishing companies in Overland Park take time to prep surfaces this way because it helps paint stay put longer.
3. Fill Gaps with Caulk
Next, check your siding and trim for cracks. These small gaps may not look like much, but they let moisture in. Over time, that can cause rot or even mold growth.
Use a tube of paintable exterior caulk to fill seams where boards meet or around windows and doors. Don’t worry about being perfect. Just make sure the caulk fills the gap completely. Then wipe off the extra with a damp rag.
One tip from the best exterior painters in Overland Park: don’t seal up vents or weep holes. Those are meant to let your home breathe. Your best exterior home painters in Overland Park will know which gaps should be sealed and which ones to leave alone.
4. Make Repairs Before Painting
It’s hard to fix broken trim or siding after everything is freshly painted. That’s why we recommend tackling repairs before painting begins. Replace any damaged wood, especially on corners or around windows.
Exterior home painters in Overland Park know how common wood rot is in Kansas. That’s why we offer both painting and wood repair. Fixing these problems before painting makes everything last longer.
The same goes for loose nails, cracked window frames, or broken trim. These little details add up.
5. Use Primer Where It’s Needed
The best exterior painters in Overland Park will likely bring primer for the job. But if you’re tackling parts of it yourself, don’t skip this step. Primer helps the paint stick better. It also seals bare wood so moisture can’t get in.
If you’ve scraped down to raw wood or added new boards during repairs, those areas need primer before you paint. Oil-based primers tend to work well on exterior wood. Your exterior painter in Overland Park will know which type is best for your home’s surface.
Ready for the Transformation?
Once your home is washed, scraped, filled, and repaired, it’s ready for a whole new look. The hard part is done. Now you can choose your color and watch your house get a fresh new face.
At Residential Solutions, we help with every part of the process. As a trusted exterior house painter in Overland Park, we don’t just show up and start painting. We walk the property, point out issues, and make sure the job is done right. Updating an older home?Ready for a fresh new look? We’re here to make your home feel brand new.Our team delivers quality painting you can trust. We care about every detail.
We help homeowners. We help neighbors. We help people bring their homes back to life.
We listen. We repair. We paint. We make your house feel like home again.
Would you like to discuss your next project? You can either phone (913) 522-9004 or complete a form here.
We are here to assist you with addressing wood decay, paint refreshment, and expert restoration.
Follow Residential Solutions on Facebook for updates, project highlights, and tips to keep your home looking its best.