When it comes to home restoration and reconditioning, preparation is key. Preparation can sometimes be the most time consuming and laborious element of a paint job and it’s a worthwhile undertaking for the benefit of the quality and longevity of the finished work.

My preparation procedure for an exterior weatherboard paint job commences with cleaning the surface to be painted using high pressure water. After the surface has been thoroughly cleaned, I undertake any required repairs. With weatherboard houses, this can sometimes mean replacing rotten boards as well as other repairs. Further to this, I close all gaps between the boards, scrub back peeling paint and sand by hand. I ensure all the old paint is cleaned away and disposed of. Where the house is exposed to weather, I sand right back to the bare wood and apply primer before two coats of paint to ensure a long lasting finish.

I always prime bare timber prior to painting. Primer ensures the surface layers of paint have something to adhere to. It also inhibits previous dark layers of paint, moisture or stains showing through the top coat. Therefore, it is advisable to apply primer when making dramatic colour changes. I include two coats of paint as my painting standard for every job I undertake.

Weatherboard paint jobs are 100% brushwork. This is a time-consuming way to work and requires great skill and care. One house I painted recently in Malvern was all weatherboard brushwork with acrylic gloss, which is a very unforgiving and fussy product that requires excellent workmanship and flawless finish.

I believe to ensure a quality and long lasting paint job, no short cuts should be taken. There are plenty of spaces around a house that can’t be seen and are often overlooked or under-painted, this includes the lowest boards of a houses’ exterior. Often these boards aren’t painted properly because they can’t be seen. However, these are very important boards in terms of protection from the elements as they are most exposed to the weather, including rain splash-back. Taking the time to prepare and paint these boards properly can make a really positive impact on the longevity of a paint job.

A quality exterior paint job will last 5 years before it requires a single re-coat. Beyond this, the job will last another five years, even in Melbourne’s harsh weather conditions.

For more information about home restoration, my painting services or other tips check out the rest of my blog here. If you are looking for painting services you can get in touch with me here, for an obligation free quote.