paint Supplies
- Primer and paint
- Paint brushes
- Paint roller and cages
- Paint paddles
- Trays
Surface Preparation Tools
- Drop cloths or tarps and cleaning cloths
- T.S.P./Methyl Hydrate
- Putty knife and caulk/joint compound
- Steel wool
- Wire brush
- Sandpaper
- Tack or damp cloth
- Painter's tape
fAQs
Scroll below to view all questions.
What are the steps to starting exterior paint job?
If you are painting anything outside the first step is to remove any paint that is peeling, if it’s loose it’s got to go. Wash to remove dirt, dust, grease, or any leftover flakes of paint and once it is dry, tape off around anything you don’t want the paint to get onto. Next step is sanding, this gets rid of the sharp edge where the existing paint ends, and then wipe surface. Your next step is to prime, priming is important as this ensures better adhesion for the paint. It also gives additional protection to the material being painted. Your final step is then to apply two coats of paint, allowing it to dry between coats.
When is the best time of the year to paint my house?
Paint outdoors is usually done between the months of late May and early October. It varies from year to year depending on temperatures.
How can overlap marks be avoided while painting?
To avoid overlap marks always keep a wet edge. When you are painting, continue painting your project in the same direction. Do not stop in one spot and move to another, as this allows the paint to set on the place you stopped. If you roll over a spot that has setup it shows marks easily, so by painting and always rolling into an area that is wet you will eliminate marks.
Can I paint vinyl siding?
Older vinyl siding can be painted with exterior latex paint after being washed with a deck cleaner or TSP and rinsed. This is one case where primer is not necessary. Best results will be achieved when new paint is not much darker that the original vinyl siding colour.
My paint is drying as fast as I roll/brush it out and it looks terrible! What can I do?
Temperature, humidity, and the amount of paint on the roller may all contribute to your problem. Whether painting inside or outside, temperatures and humidity are ideal when moderate. Your roller should be loaded with plenty of paint but not dripping and should be reloaded before it is “wrung out.” Can I paint PVC windows?
Yes, you can paint just about anything, with the right preparation, the right primer and paint, and the right conditions. Surfaces must be clean, dry, and residue/grease free. Not all primers will adhere to PVC (we recommend XIM) and if the primer doesn’t stick, the paint won’t either. You’ll need either interior or exterior paint in a colour not too much lighter or darker than the one you are covering, depending on which side of the window you are working.
How do I go about hiring a painter?
Lumberyards and paint stores usually have lists or business cards of painters, if you don’t find one online or by word of mouth. Always ask for and check a painter’s references, to make sure they work to your standards. Be sure to communicate your expectations and ask questions. Work out details such as which of you will buy the paint, which Benjamin Moore line, sheen and colour(s) is desired, whether a primer is required and how many coats of each will be applied. You will also want to be clear as to timelines and payment procedures.
What temperature is too cold to paint exterior of house?
Below 4.4 °C
How long does it take for exterior paint to dry?
Dry to Touch @ 25 °C - 1 hour
How long should I wait before I paint 2nd coat?
At 25 °C Recoat - 4 Hours
Can I paint after it rains?
A masonry or wood surface will absorb moisture from rain. Wait a minimum of one day after a heavy rain, but remember the surface must be dry before painting. Too much moisture in the substrate will prevent absorption and will most likely lead to peeling.
If you are painting anything outside the first step is to remove any paint that is peeling, if it’s loose it’s got to go. Wash to remove dirt, dust, grease, or any leftover flakes of paint and once it is dry, tape off around anything you don’t want the paint to get onto. Next step is sanding, this gets rid of the sharp edge where the existing paint ends, and then wipe surface. Your next step is to prime, priming is important as this ensures better adhesion for the paint. It also gives additional protection to the material being painted. Your final step is then to apply two coats of paint, allowing it to dry between coats.
When is the best time of the year to paint my house?
Paint outdoors is usually done between the months of late May and early October. It varies from year to year depending on temperatures.
How can overlap marks be avoided while painting?
To avoid overlap marks always keep a wet edge. When you are painting, continue painting your project in the same direction. Do not stop in one spot and move to another, as this allows the paint to set on the place you stopped. If you roll over a spot that has setup it shows marks easily, so by painting and always rolling into an area that is wet you will eliminate marks.
Can I paint vinyl siding?
Older vinyl siding can be painted with exterior latex paint after being washed with a deck cleaner or TSP and rinsed. This is one case where primer is not necessary. Best results will be achieved when new paint is not much darker that the original vinyl siding colour.
My paint is drying as fast as I roll/brush it out and it looks terrible! What can I do?
Temperature, humidity, and the amount of paint on the roller may all contribute to your problem. Whether painting inside or outside, temperatures and humidity are ideal when moderate. Your roller should be loaded with plenty of paint but not dripping and should be reloaded before it is “wrung out.” Can I paint PVC windows?
Yes, you can paint just about anything, with the right preparation, the right primer and paint, and the right conditions. Surfaces must be clean, dry, and residue/grease free. Not all primers will adhere to PVC (we recommend XIM) and if the primer doesn’t stick, the paint won’t either. You’ll need either interior or exterior paint in a colour not too much lighter or darker than the one you are covering, depending on which side of the window you are working.
How do I go about hiring a painter?
Lumberyards and paint stores usually have lists or business cards of painters, if you don’t find one online or by word of mouth. Always ask for and check a painter’s references, to make sure they work to your standards. Be sure to communicate your expectations and ask questions. Work out details such as which of you will buy the paint, which Benjamin Moore line, sheen and colour(s) is desired, whether a primer is required and how many coats of each will be applied. You will also want to be clear as to timelines and payment procedures.
What temperature is too cold to paint exterior of house?
Below 4.4 °C
How long does it take for exterior paint to dry?
Dry to Touch @ 25 °C - 1 hour
How long should I wait before I paint 2nd coat?
At 25 °C Recoat - 4 Hours
Can I paint after it rains?
A masonry or wood surface will absorb moisture from rain. Wait a minimum of one day after a heavy rain, but remember the surface must be dry before painting. Too much moisture in the substrate will prevent absorption and will most likely lead to peeling.
have more questions?
exterior paint DO's
- Clean surfaces of dirt, grease, and mildew. Un-weathered areas such as eaves, ceilings, and overhangs should be washed with a detergent solution and/or rinsed with a strong stream of water from a garden hose to remove contaminants that can interfere with proper adhesion, stains from mildew must be removed by cleaning with Benjamin Moore® Clean Multi-Purpose Cleaner (K318) prior to coating the surface
- Remove any chalk and loose or scaling paint, if previously coated with cement based waterproofing paints, clean by sandblasting
- Glossy surfaces must be dulled
- For metal surfaces, remove rust. Wipe down with paint thinner to remove surface oils
- Talk to the Experts at Janzens about difficult substrates: Benjamin Moore® offers a number of specialty primers for use over difficult substrates such as bleeding woods, grease stains, crayon markings, hard glossy surfaces, or other substrates where paint adhesion or stain suppression is a particular problem
- Thoroughly mix all paint before starting
- Use a premium roller or extra firm nylon polyester brush for best results
- Follow Manufacture Directions available on this site
exterior paint DON'Ts
- Don't apply when air and surface temperatures are below 4.4 °C (40 °F)
- Don’t paint in direct sunlight
- Don’t coat sections of the surface either down or across the structure to natural breaks, as you will get lap marks; maintain a wet edge, if your edge begins to dry or you see that you missed a spot and the paint is already setting up, allow it to dry completely before touching up that area
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