Paints and Finishes, Part I: Painting Exteriors

1 / 16
Believe it or not, a good many people don't really know when their house needs a paint job.
Believe it or not, a good many people don't really know when their house needs a paint job.
2 / 16
Diagram 1: Ship scraper.
Diagram 1: Ship scraper.
3 / 16
Diagram 2: A good brush (a).
Diagram 2: A good brush (a).
4 / 16
Diagram 2: A good brush (b).
Diagram 2: A good brush (b).
5 / 16
Diagram 3: Ladder safety (b).
Diagram 3: Ladder safety (b).
6 / 16
Diagram 4: Using a pressure washer.
Diagram 4: Using a pressure washer.
7 / 16
Diagram 5: Scraping trim with a heat gun.
Diagram 5: Scraping trim with a heat gun.
8 / 16
Diagram 3: Ladder safety (a).
Diagram 3: Ladder safety (a).
9 / 16
Diagram 7: Caulking the gaps.
Diagram 7: Caulking the gaps.
10 / 16
Diagram 8: Patching concrete before painting.
Diagram 8: Patching concrete before painting.
11 / 16
Diagram 10: A corner roller at work.
Diagram 10: A corner roller at work.
12 / 16
Diagram 9: Coverage calculation.
Diagram 9: Coverage calculation.
13 / 16
Diagram 6: Nailing loose siding.
Diagram 6: Nailing loose siding.
14 / 16
Diagram 12: Feathering fresh paint.
Diagram 12: Feathering fresh paint.
15 / 16
Diagram 11: A properly loaded brush.
Diagram 11: A properly loaded brush.
16 / 16
Diagram 13: Storing a brush, fold and tape.
Diagram 13: Storing a brush, fold and tape.

MOTHER’s Handbook: Making sense of the homeowner’s most misunderstood cover-up, painting exteriors of homes. (See the home exterior painting diagrams in the image gallery.)

Paints and Finishes, Part I: Painting Exteriors

Take this simple test: When it comes to home maintenance, do you wish to devote little time to a project but want maximum results? Do you keep your eyes peeled for wonder products that save time, money and effort? Would you like to fly through a job to be done with it once and for all?

If your answers to those questions are yes, you’d better look for a professional contractor when the time comes to paint your house, because you’ll probably be the most disappointed do-it-yourselfer on the face of this earth if you tackle the job on your own.

Why? Because, as easy as painting appears, painting exteriors is actually more involved than many other skills that look considerably more complicated. And because the answers to problems aren’t always obvious, a lot of time can be just flat wasted doing work that may only last in terms of months, not the hoped-for years.

  • Published on Mar 1, 1988
Online Store Logo
Need Help? Call 1-800-234-3368