Interior and exterior painting: best practices from painters in San Diego

“Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends always belong, and laughter never ends”. This is one of my favorite quotes about homes.

Mostly because it emphasizes just how important our homes are to us. After all, many of our most cherished and happiest moments are created in our homes.

Your sanctuary deserves all the care you can give it, and one of the best ways to take care of your home is by giving it a fresh coat of paint.

Painting helps your home stand out in your neighborhood and makes it the envy of your neighbors.

Although there are many choices that factor into your decision to paint your home, undertaking the whole project by yourself can give you a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment upon completion.

Before cracking open the paint cans and slapping that first coat of paint on your walls, there are a few things you may want to know.

Most professional painters in San Diego, myself included, follow certain best practices for our painting projects. These naturally vary depending on whether the painting project is on the interior or exterior of your home.

I’ve listed some of the most important things you need to know before you get started!

Best practices to follow for exterior painting

The most critical element you need to consider when painting your exterior is mother nature in all her glory.

You have to be mindful of the drying time. You need to choose a time of year with low humidity and the lowest probability of rain, so your paint has enough time to dry. 

If you choose the wrong time to paint, it might just wash off with the rain or leave less than attractive results.

Another thing to consider is the paint itself. I suggest prioritizing quality over cost when it comes to choosing your paint. Cheaper alternatives might save money in the short run but will also need frequent repainting, which will ultimately be more expensive.

Quality paint, on the other hand, lasts longer and requires less frequent reapplication.

You might also want to consider washing and sanding down exterior surfaces before painting because the paint won’t stick to rough or dirty surfaces.

I suggest sanding and scraping any peeling paint on the walls, trims, and sidings first. Then, you can pressure wash these surfaces to remove any lingering dust or dirt.

Professional painters in San Diego also box paints, a practice of mixing paints of the same color to ensure uniformity across all surfaces. I suggest you also box your paint to avoid unplanned variations in hues. 

Best practices to follow for interior painting

As a professional painter, I use dedicated interior paints for painting the interior of homes. I suggest you do the same.

Exterior paints might last longer, but contain harsh chemical compounds that are used to boost their longevity. If you use these paints for your interior, they might pollute your indoor air and impact your health in the long run.

Prepping your interior is key to avoid spills on furniture and other valuables. Use drop cloths, old rags, newspapers, or polythene to cover up your valuables. You can also use painter’s tape to cover up trims, door panels, and window panels to achieve a cleaner and more professional look.

I also recommend painting from the top down. This means starting by painting the ceilings and gradually moving downwards. This method will avoid unsightly paint drips on your walls. Even if there is a drip, with this method, you can simply paint over it.

You might also want to sand your interior surfaces to help the paint stick better. 

If you’re nervous about painting your interiors, definitely do more research before you begin painting.

Follow these best practices from professional painters in San Diego to achieve a professional finish

Painting is one of the easiest ways to make your home look like a million dollars. It will also increase the curb appeal of your home if you ever plan on putting your home on the market. 

The best practices outlined in this blog post will help you achieve a professional finish if you do decide to take the DIY route. Happy painting!