Any exterior paint, like paint of all types and uses, requires that it is applied properly if it is to last as long as is possible. The length of time one can expect any paint to last is dependent on the type and quality of the paint you choose and how well you or your painting professional prepare the surface to be painted and ultimately apply the paint.
Paints come in all kinds. Some paint is made for stone and concrete, other for wood and yet some others for stucco and so an. Some paint comes with reflective micro-beads that allow its color to remain vibrant in the sun longer than others. Some paint is made to be more resistant to driving weather and wet. Other paint is made to be fire retardant and other insulating. Whatever the case all paint if applied improperly will at best last fewer years than it could and at best fail outright and fall off your surface.
Paint failures come in many shapes and sizes but what I propose below will ensure that all types and qualities of paint last as long as they possibly can.
The following is a list of the 5 most important things to do when undertaking an exterior paint job:
1) Carefully examine the surface to be painted. Examine the surface to determine what it is made of. The type of paint you choose and the preparations you make depend on knowing about your surface. Untreated wood, treated wood, concrete, stucco, cinder block, cement and all the other various kinds of surface materials require special primers to prepare them for the type of paint you want to apply. If the surface has previously been painted you need to identify what kind of stain or paint it was previously coated with and to what extent that previous coating has failed (or started to crack, flake and come off). If the surface was painted with oil, latex or elastomeric (a new and highly durable paint type becoming more and more popular) you will have to re-paint that surface with the paint type previously used or prepare the surface to accept other paint types with a special paint type specific primer. Failure to properly identify the previous coating and to prepare the surface accordingly will lead to premature aging and worse paint failure.
2) Properly prepare the surface to be painted. With all surfaces, previously painted or new, preparation is required if the paint being applied is to last. The surface must be dry and clean of dirt and debris. In the case of previously painted surfaces old failing paint must be thoroughly removed and the surface sanded and then wiped clean. In most cases a paint type specific primer should be applied to the surface to prepare the surface to best accept the paint type you have chosen. Apply the primer in whatever way the manufacturer recommends. Failure to properly prepare the surface to be painted can lead to paint premature paint failure and dramatically shortened paint life span.
3) Ensure that the temperature and moisture level in the air and on/in the surface to be painted is appropriate to the paint type you have chosen to apply. To much moisture in the air can mean too much moisture gets between your surface and the paint leading to failure and shortened life span. Temperatures that are too hot or too cold can mean that the chemicals that make up the paint you have chosen to apply can no longer be trusted to behave as they would when applied inside their application temperature thresholds. This can mean paint that does not dry, paint that bubbles, paint that flakes or simply falls off your surface.
4) Apply the paint you choose in exactly the way the manufacturer recommends and pay close attention to the recommended mil coverage or thickness the manufacturer says is appropriate. To thick and the paint may not cure or dry properly leading to premature paint failure and a shortened life span. To little paint may allow the elements to corrode, wear or dull your paint more quickly too.
5) Ensure that you apply each coat of paint from primer through to the final coats only after the previously applied coat of paint or primer is completely dry (as per the manufacturers dry times) before re-coating. If you apply your paint too quickly you’ll run into problems with curing and drying issues and ultimately your paint will fail.
If you keep these five points in mind and apply these methods while undertaking your painting project you can expect your paint to last at long as is possible with the paint you have chosen.
