When it’s time to repaint your home’s exterior, it can be tempting to want to skip straight to the fun part: choosing a new color and applying it to the walls! That said, there’s one key step you must not skip before breaking out the paint cans and rollers, and that is removing all of the old, existing paint—whether it looks sound or not. In fact, your upcoming project’s success is ultimately dependent on your surface being clean, repaired, and free of existing paint. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Remove Old Paint Before Repainting?
Old paint that’s cracking, peeling, bubbling, or flaking won’t provide a stable base for new paint, no matter how many coats you apply. When new paint is applied over old paint, it will often begin peeling or cracking along with it, meaning you’d be wasting time, effort, and money!
Removing old paint also gives you the opportunity to inspect the surface underneath for signs of rotting or moisture damage, as well as other issues that would need to be addressed before the painting begins. Starting with clean and repaired surfaces means your new paint has the best chances of adhering properly, which ensures it’ll look great and protect your surfaces for years.
Methods for Correctly Removing Exterior Paint
There are many methods that can be used to safely remove old exterior paint, but the right one depends on the surface material and level of damage:
- Hand scraping is ideal for smaller areas or spot removal. It involves using physical tools to scrape away loose, chipping paint without damaging the surface underneath.
- Power washing is great for loosening flaking paint, as well as for removing dirt, mildew, and debris, which preps the surface for new paint.
- Chemical strippers can also be used, especially for stubborn, heavily layered paint. However, this method also requires proper safety precautions.
- In some cases, heat guns can also be used to soften old paint for easier removal, but this also requires caution and is best left to professionals.
The bottom line is, taking the time to properly remove old, damaged paint before repainting makes all the difference in how long your new paint job will last—making it an all-important step! And if you still find yourself not wanting to do it, simply hire a team of pros and let them get things underway.
About Platinum Painting of Frisco
Since 2008, our Platinum Painting team has proudly helped homeowners all around Frisco and the rest of the DFW metroplex to make their homes beautiful! We offer a wide range of interior and exterior painting services. If you have any questions or you’re ready to schedule a FREE in-home estimate, feel free to reach out online or by phone today to learn more or to get started. Telephone: (972) 992-1613.