Every New Jersey homeowner knows from experience that nothing lasts forever. Whether it is our appliances, our mattresses, or our exterior paint, all of it will wear out eventually. In the case of house paint, what do you do when it is cracking or peeling? How do you fix failing exterior paint?
To start with, don’t just paint over it! While it might seem to be a reasonable temporary solution, it is actually worse than doing nothing. That is because the old paint will continue to fail under the new layer, and the remediation process would become even more difficult and expensive.
Removing Failed Exterior House Paint
Whenever exterior paint has failed, it must be removed prior to applying new paint. You don’t need to remove the whole coating, but only those areas where there is cracking, bubbling, flaking, peeling, or other significant deterioration. There are a few different methods that are often used, sometimes in conjunction with each other:
- Pressure Washing
- Scraping with a Wide Bladed Tool
- Sanding by Hand or with a Power Sander
Caution: Any time you work with an older home in the New Jersey area, be aware that the surfaces may contain lead paint. If you do any scraping, sanding or cutting on these older painted surfaces, breathing protection is essential!
When to Prime in Exterior Painting
Exterior primer is often helpful, though it is not necessary in every case. If you have removed any failing paint and exposed the substrate (brick, wood, metal), primer is a mandatory step. This ensures that the new paint will properly adhere to the surface.
Another situation where primer is helpful is when you are making a significant change to the color of your exterior house paint. This helps to hide the prior color and create a clean slate for the new one.
Do I Need to Pressure Wash Before Exterior Painting?
New Jersey homeowners should be aware that exterior painting requires a clean surface. This does not have to be done with a pressure washer, though that is an effective method. Just remember that pressure washing takes skill and experience to prevent personal injury and property damage.
A safer, gentler way to wash your home is to use a soft brush on a long handle, similar to what people use to wash cars. A mild solution of soap and water will loosen surface contaminants, which can then be rinsed off with a garden hose.
Cherry Hill Painting
When your New Jersey home needs exterior painting, the name you can trust is Cherry Hill Painting. For more than 50 years, we have served New Jersey and the Philadelphia region with dedicated customer service and exceptional customer service.
In addition to exterior painting, we also offer interior painting, kitchen cabinet painting, wallpaper removal, and more. Contact our office for a free estimate, and find out for yourself why so many New Jersey residents keep coming back to Cherry Hill Painting!