By Aidan McDonnell, Pat McDonnell Paints
Painting your walls is a great way to protect your exterior and boost your home’s kerb appeal. If you want to refresh your exterior walls, but don’t know where to start, read our guide below.
Before You Start...
If you’re working with a freshly plastered surface, we recommend giving it about six months to fully dry out before painting.
Step 1: Preparation
Before you grab that paintbrush, let's talk prep. Protect surrounding surfaces by laying down dust sheets and masking off features and fittings (e.g., windows, door frames etc.).
Next, give those walls a good scrubbing to remove nasty contaminants like dirt and mould. Once fully dry, scrape down the walls so there are no uneven surfaces.
Fix minor defects (e.g., cracks, holes, scratches) by applying an appropriate filler such as Prestonett Exterior Filler. Once dry, smooth it out with sandpaper and wipe away any dust.
Step 2: Check If Your Walls Need Sealing
A simple test is to run your hand along the wall. If you're left with a powdery residue, seal 'em up! Apply Ralston Wall Primer to seal any unstable areas and ensure that the first coat of paint adheres correctly. Dilute it with water by a ratio of 1:1, making sure to mix thoroughly. Apply the primer to your wall as you would a normal paint and give it roughly four hours to dry.
Tip: If your house faces onto the street, display “wet paint” signs so passers-by don’t get any unwanted surprises!
Step 3: Paint!
Always use a masonry paint when painting your home’s exterior. Specially formulated to withstand the ups and downs of Irish weather, the Dulux Weathershield range is a popular option that offers an extensive range of ready-mix and bespoke colours.
Tip: In recent years, more lime-based or breathable plaster has been used in Ireland. To ensure that you maintain the breathability of your walls, be sure to use a breathable masonry paint which will not unnecessarily seal your surface.
We recommend diluting your first coat with water by about 10% and mixing thoroughly. Start from the top and work your way downwards with the aid of your cutting-in brush, masonry brush and roller. Depending on the manufacturer's instructions, allow to dry for 2-4 hours. Then, go ahead and apply a second coat without thinning the paint, and maybe even a third depending on your wall's surface.
Tip: Remove the masking tape after a few hours after painting, as the tape glue might dry and damage fittings and windows.
Tools for the Job:
- Ralston Wall Primer (if needed)
- Exterior paint e.g. Dulux Weathershield, Colourtrend Weather or Farrow & Ball Exterior Masonry
- Prestonett Exterior Filler
- 4” Harper & Green Masonry Brush
- 2” Wooster Soft Tip Brush for cutting-in
- Dust Sheets
- Corona Tuff Pro 9” Sleeve (thickness of sleeve and nap depend on your walls)
- Wooster 9” Roller Frame
- Deltec Masking Tape Extreme
- Harper & Green Blue Roller Bucket
- Extension Pole
- Correct ladder or equipment to safely access the eves, facia & soffit
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