Taking on an exterior project is a task with the potential to change the entire appearance of your home. Whether you’re painting your outside walls or staining a deck, touching up the areas that often serve as your home’s first impression is worthwhile, but it’s also a lot of work! 

An exterior project has a few additional things to consider, from weather to the type of paint or stain you use. Doing your research is crucial for the success of your project — you’ve got to set yourself up for success if you want something that will last for years to come! But where do you even start with a project so important? We’ve rounded up the best DIY tips for exterior painting and patio staining, so you have all the help you need for a job well done. 

1. Prep, prep, prep! 

When taking on a home project, the best thing you can do is prepare. Setting the scene before the mess starts is not only helpful for your clean-up, but it keeps you on track to finish the project at the rate you intended. The good news? You’re already in prep mode by doing some research (AKA reading this)! 

Prepping for a job, no matter how big or small it is, also means protecting the areas of your space that are NOT getting painted or stained. Make sure to apply painter’s tape to areas you need to protect, and lay a tarp down for minimal post-project mess. 

2. Clean what you need to paint or stain 

Whether you’re painting side paneling or staining a deck, the surface receiving the touch-up needs to be cleaned before anything new is added. Take this seriously — you don’t want gritty bits of dirt ruining your shiny new paint job! A smooth, freshly-cleaned surface helps your paint or stain to stand out and look brand new. 

3. Replace rotten siding 

Painting the exterior of your home is exciting — you’re getting a whole new look! But before you get too antsy to add that new color, double-check the state of your siding. Too often rotten siding will be hidden away, just getting covered up by a new paint job. Unfortunately, this band-aid fix doesn’t last long. When you don’t take the time to replace any rotten siding before you paint, it will just continue to deteriorate (even if it looks a little better with a new color on top). 

4. Use the right paint tool 

There are a couple of ways to ensure you’re painting your home or staining your deck in a thorough manner. We recommend using either a paint sprayer or a natural bristle brush. Both of these tools ensure you’re able to get paint or stain in each pore of the surface — the main difference between the two is how quickly they’re able to get the job done. A paint sprayer is generally faster than a natural bristle brush, but each has the potential to do an excellent job in the right hands. 

Pro tip: If you use a paint sprayer, don’t forget to do a test spray first! 

5. Paint from the top to the bottom 

One final tip for the novice home painter — always paint from top to bottom. This makes a huge difference not only in how smooth your paint goes on, but in how organized your entire project will be. Don’t just pick a random section of your wall and start. Instead, have a plan and follow it. 

When in doubt, call the experts at CorsPaint. 

Touching up the exterior of your home is a productive project, but it can also be frustrating and time-consuming. Especially when you’re new to the task, there are too many corners to accidentally cut as you take on a new project. Give the CorsPaint team a call — we’ll take away that frustration and leave you with a finished paint job that gives your home’s appearance a total makeover.