Photo By: Ryan McVay Photo By: Dennis Oblander Photo By: Linda Macpherson Photo By: Laurey W. Glenn Plan ahead when painting. The time of year is key, so understand your local weather patterns. Select a dry time of year when there is little rain and lower humidity. Paint needs time to dry and will not adhere to surfaces that are not dry. Better quality paint means you will paint fewer times over the years, and you'll get better coverage when you do paint. Paint technology has improved dramatically in the past few years, with colors guaranteed to last longer than ever before. You may be tempted to skimp on paint to save money up front with a cheaper brand, but you're bound to have trouble and eventually pay more in the long run. Paint won't adhere very well to dirty or rough surfaces, so be sure to clean the siding and trim thoroughly, allow to dry, and sand. Be sure to sand (or scrape as needed) any peeling paint to create a solid surface for the paint to adhere.

Rotten wood and siding material are nearly worthless to paint, as they will do nothing but to continue to deteriorate. You have a couple of options. Replace the siding or wood trim with new components, or in the case of small areas, use a wood hardener and match with an exterior filler product, such as a wood filler. Be sure to prep and sand either one prior to painting.party decoration ideas tumblr The rule of thumb has always been to apply a good coat of primer, sand, then apply your color coats. christmas tree decorations color themeThis is still a good rule to follow, but new paint technologies have combined primer and paint into one product, which manufacturers assert will cut down on the number of coats you will have to apply. bedroom decor ideas apartment

This newer paint is more expensive, but may be comparable to the purchase of separate primer and paint. Look at reviews of these newer paints, particular from folks that have used it in your area. Mixing multiple cans of the same color of paint into a larger container, such as a five-gallon bucket, will help ensure a uniform color is applied to your home's exterior. christmas decoration coffee shopThis step, called boxing the paint, is a method the pros follow. christmas decorations for outside the homeThis step is important if, for example, you initially bought a gallon or two of paint less than you needed and then picked up the extra gallons at a later time.christmas cake decorations cheap

Starting at the top and working your way down while painting helps control streaks, as you will be working with gravity rather than against it. Drips are inevitable, but this method will allow you to feather out mishaps in the direction you are working. Properly close your paint containers with their lids after you finish for the day to keep the paint from drying out. Use a rubber mallet to lightly hammer the lid shut. You can also add a plastic wrap film over the opening to ensure a tight seal. Painted porches (particularly steps) and other painted floors can become a bit too slick with a coat of paint alone, so add a little bit of fine sand to the paint to add traction. You can use play sand or additives that manufacturers have begun producing to provide this extra texture. It's easy to forget how messy painting can be, so be sure to cover the ground, bushes and any other vegetation below the area you are painting. Also move or cover up any outdoor furniture, hoses, grills, etc.

Use drop cloths and weigh them down on the corners or securely wrap them around the items you are protecting.Exterior paints have improved over the past decade. They’re more durable, and less prone to cracking and fading. Consumer Reports’ latest exterior paint tests show what you can expect after a paint has been exposed to sun, rain, snow, and wind for years. It’s not always pretty. You want to know which exterior paints are likely to last the longest on your home. One year of our severe testing is equivalent to about three years of normal weathering. After three years of testing, you get a glimpse at how this paint will look after nine years. We evaluate cracking, color change, and resistance to dirt and mildew. It all begins with painting pine test panels and putting them on racks on the roof of our headquarters in Yonkers, New York. We face the boards south at an angle of 25 degrees to intensify the effects of sun and weather. Most tested exterior paints—14 out of 15—looked great after three years.

At six years, we saw changes in most, and even more changes after the equivalent of nine years. Most tested exterior paints will look good for eight to 10 years, including Behr Premium Plus Ultra, $39, and Clark+Kensington, $35. (Prices are per gallon.) But some paint cracked and faded by year nine, so you’ll probably have to paint again after six to nine years. These paints include Glidden High Endurance Plus, $29, Sherwin-Williams Resilience, $63, and Behr Marquee, $48, the lowest scoring of the tested paints. Consider Your Climate and Weather Sunny, hot and dry climates require a paint that resists cracking and color change. Warm and muggy areas call for mildew resistance, and desert homes need paint that resists dirt. You’ll see which paints did well in the Features & Specs section of our exterior paint Ratings. And check the weather forecast. Daytime temperatures between 50° and 90°F with little or no wind are best for painting; never paint in the rain. Start with our paint buying guide, then see our exterior paint Ratings.