Many savvy homeowners decide to paint their home’s exterior, thinking it will be an easy job. Professionals who have been painting for quite some time know that there is a logistical side to painting that can be incredibly easy to mess up. One part of the logistics of exterior painting is understanding how the existing […]
Many savvy homeowners decide to paint their home’s exterior, thinking it will be an easy job. Professionals who have been painting for quite some time know that there is a logistical side to painting that can be incredibly easy to mess up. One part of the logistics of exterior painting is understanding how the existing surface will take the paint.
The number of coats, the type of paint and primers that are used, the preparation requirements, and even the painting technique are all dependent on the exterior surface.
Brick is extremely porous and can absorb up to three times more paint than other surfaces, and older brick may have varying absorption rates. Brick also contains lime and other materials that can cause paint to fail because the alkaline salts literally break down the paint or binder, causing peeling, chalking, or color changes. Additionally, the surface of brick isn’t smooth, so paint can pool in mortar lines or fail to reach all surface areas if the right techniques aren’t used.
Common Surface Issues That Impact the Paint Job:
Surface Preparation Requirements:
Best Paint for Brick Exterior:
Aluminum siding comes with a factory-applied coating that can cause bonding issues with most paints, leading to peeling and flaking around the edges and seams, as well as chalking as the coat degrades from UV exposure. It also expands and contracts with temperature changes, which can cause aesthetic issues with the paint over time. While painting aluminum is certainly possible, it does require some prep work, especially if the aluminum is dented, which can create paint thickness variations.
Common Surface Issues That Impact the Paint Job:
Surface Preparation Requirements:
Best Paint for Aluminum:
Like aluminum, vinyl siding expands and contracts throughout the year as the temperatures change, which can lead to paint warping or buckling, especially if the wrong type of paint is used. Additionally, if the siding is painted a darker color than the original, it not only causes permanent deformation due to increased heat absorption but can also potentially lead to warranty voids, so color selection is critical in vinyl painting jobs.
Vinyl also contains plasticizers to keep it flexible, but those plasticizers can create a film that prevents paint from adhering properly, although this is typically only an issue with older vinyl siding.
Another issue many homeowners don’t consider is that vinyl generates static electricity, causing dust and debris to accumulate frequently, which can make the paint appear dirty if it’s not cleaned off beforehand.
Common Surface Issues That Impact the Paint Job:
Surface Preparation Requirements:
Best Paint for Vinyl Siding:
Without experience, it’s hard to know how an exterior paint job will look. In addition to the existing quality and condition of the exterior, the type of paint used, the number of coats applied, the color, and environmental factors like temperature and humidity, all impact the final results.
Instead of taking guesses and potentially causing costly damage to your home, work with our experts at Imperial Painting. We have over 30 years of experience painting vinyl, brick, and aluminum exteriors throughout southeast Michigan, and over 200 5-Star ratings from satisfied customers. Our team can handle the entire process for you, from paint selection to surface preparation and repairs to painting.
Visit our website to view our latest work, or contact us today to schedule a free project consultation.
Macomb: (586) 412-9040
Oakland: (248) 275-5657