Spring is in the air and so is painting!
I have been receiving more calls for exterior painting projects in Lethbridge lately. Whether it is decks, fences,pergolas or spraying siding or wood panels; I love working outdoors. I also love giving people
the proper knowledge and know-how to complete painting projects with excellent results. While getting a professional painter to do the job ensures (or should ensure) proper prep, application and finish;
advice is always free if you want to DIY! So here are a few tips that I hope you will find helpful.
Preparation is ALWAYS the Key
Ensuring there is no dirt, grease, mold or algae on the surface being finished/re-finished is crucial. Sometimes that means pressure washing with a cleaning solution. Other times it means proper scraping and sanding. Paint and stain do not hold well if the surface is not clean!
Quality Matters
Using a high quality paint, stain, urethane or varathane is important. Yes, quality usually means higher cost, but it also ensures the work will last longer, be more weather resistant; including less damage from harmful UV rays.
Work WITH the Weather
Exterior work is affected by factors like the sun, the wind and humidity during and after application.
- Do NOT attempt to paint/stain until the nighttime temperature is 10 plus degrees Celsius.
- Do NOT attempt to paint stain in direct sunlight if the surface is already warm/hot.
- If the area is partly in the sun and partly in the shade, this may cause an uneven and unattractive finish.
- For existing decks and exterior woodwork, it is advisable to wait until about June for the moisture content of the wood to be brought down to suitable levels.
Stain Colour Matching is Tricky!
Stain colour can be affected by many things, including the type of wood being stained. Do some testing. The colour represented on the colour chart or on the can may not look the same on your application.
There’s so much more to share, but this is a good start. If you ever have any questions, whether you would like a painting quote or just some DIY advice, fell free to call or message me at 403-394-8810, Your Southern Alberta Painter. You can also use the contact form here to get a FREE Quote on your next painting project.
Here are a few of some past outdoor projects that turned out great! These outdoor spaces now add so much value for my clients and they are thrilled with the results!
