Prepare and paint exteriors
Extra tools you will need
- Extension ladder – is the most important extra tool needed for exterior painting. Make sure that you buy or hire one that when in position is 60-90cm taller than the highest point to be reached. Use ladders with care and make sure that they are safe before climbing. The ideal distance from the wall is about 25cm for every metre of the ladder height.
- S-Hook – this is used to hang the paint tin on a ladder rung, which then allows the painter to move more freely.
- Stiff bristle brush – for removing loose flaking material.
- Wall brush – this should be fairly stiff for applying paint to exterior walls.
Preparation
- Try to choose a dry day when there is not too much wind about.
- Complete all stripping and rubbing down before you start painting, so that the dust and flakes will not fall on wet surfaces.
- Start from the top and work down. Clean out metal gutters with a wire brush and paint if necessary. Clean plastic guttering and paint with Berger Non-Drip Gloss if required.
- Wash and lightly rub down sound paint on woodwork. Strip off loose or flaking paint as described previously. Patch-prime any bare wood or metal, and make good defects.
- Defective window putty must be cut out and after priming, re-puttied.
- Brush off loose particles and grime from walls. If the surface is flaking or chalky, it must be sealed after preparing with Sandtex Stabilising Solution. Use exterior filler for cracks and defects on walls.
Organic or growth mould
Sterilise with a mixture of 1 part Sandtex Fungicide* to 8 parts water. Allow to stand for 4 hours, then remove the mould using a stiff bristle brush. Repeat and allow a minimum of 72 hours before painting. Berger Weathercoat contains a mould-resistant fungicide to minimise further growth.
Order of painting
- Barge boards, gutter fascias, gutters and eaves.
- Walls – starting at the top, paint in sections, working from right to left.
Work your way across the house. First the top, then the middle and finally the lower part.
Follow the sun – this will ensure that surfaces are free from dew and in a warm condition. Do not paint in direct sunlight as this leads to blistering while drying.
- Fall pipes – to paint behind pipes and paint only the walls, use a piece of cardboard as a mask.
- Windows and doors – avoid gloss painting in windy, dusty conditions.