Title: Putting a Fresh Coat of Paint on Your Exterior - This Old House
Headings: Putting a Fresh Coat of Paint on Your Exterior
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Curb Appeal
Putting a Fresh Coat of Paint on Your Exterior
House Inspection
Touching Up
Stripping
Brush Work

Content: Touching Up
Before you begin to paint the exterior of a house, mask windows and doors with heavy plastic or builder's paper and lay drop cloths on the ground. Use a hook scraper to remove loose paint. In spots where wood is uneven, try a putty knife, which is less likely to damage wood. Sand the remaining paint to a dull finish; taper or feather thicker spots. Remove all cracked caulking. Wash the house using your garden hose and awire brush to remove any remaining loose paint. Never use a steel or iron brush, which could leave stains and may glaze the surface. Then it's time for a primer, paint formulated with a high proportion of binder in order to adhere tightly to wood and to the next layer of paint. Some painters prefer the oil-based variety for its penetration and ability to block the stains that bleed out of redwood and cedar, but I would recommend an acrylic latex to lay the foundation for a lasting paint job.