How to Paint a Wall Yourself in India

If looking at the exterior of your home does not bring a smile to your face and cracks or run-off paint are visible to anyone looking at it, it is time to think about a paint job. A new paint job will not only be pleasing to one’s eyes but also increase the value of your home. Along with the aesthetic value, a good paint job also protects a home’s exterior and helps fight health risks.

Getting a paint job done by professionals requires spending money, but with the right supplies and skills, you can re-paint your house’s exterior by yourself with ease. A good painting job can last up to ten or twelve years if done well. 

Steps to prepare for a new paint job

Washing the exterior of your house

With pollution at an all-time high, it’s only natural the exterior walls of your homes must have a coating of a thick layer of dust, soot, or harmful particles emitting from vehicles and drifting in the air. To start, use a water hose or a pump sprayer to wash off the dirt with water pressure. Then you can use a scrub brush to manually scrub off the particles that need scrubbing to wash off. Start hosing off from the top and then work to the bottom half of the exterior in a fluid and controlled manner. 

Overlap each stroke 8-10 times to clean the surfaces thoroughly. New paint won’t stick well to a grimy surface, so it is essential to ensure the surface is clean. Be careful while using the power washer, as it tends to chip off the wood if not used correctly. Use a ladder to climb and clean the roof. Use a good mixture of phosphate-free cleaning agents and Mildew Killer mix to give a sponge bath to the walls.

Removal of flaking paint and filling cracks

Once the surface dries out, the next step is to go around the perimeter and notice the damaged surfaces. Gradually with time, the surfaces develop cracks or tears in the walls or wooden panels, and it is essential to seal those holes away before a new paint job. Use epoxy fillers and a spackle knife to fill in those cracks. Once the fillers dry out, use a sanding block to even out the surface. 

For the second part, use a hand-holding scraper manually to remove those loose paint flakes. If one has the experience, they can also use a hot air gun or infrared paint stripping machine. To create a lead-safe working environment and protect yourself from lead poisoning, wear a tight face mask and a hazmat suit.

Fixing damaged surfaces

After successfully filling the cracks and scraping out the flakes, the next step is to remove the damaged woodwork. If the broken wooden panel, loose nails, or dents are repaired over time, they will cause more damage in the future. 

Go around each surface area and inspect carefully for any damages. For minor gaps in the wooden frames or walls, use putty, but stripe out the entire structure or panel if the damage is severe. Remove the rotten wood and think about replacing it with new woodwork by hiring a carpenter before starting the paint job. Also, check your drainage system and fix any broken pipes that may cause water-logging and rot of the walls. Cover up the light fixtures and door handles with tight plastic sheets. 

Coating the surface with primer

After sanding and repair work finishes, the only thing to be done is coat the entire exterior with a primer. If you are painting over oil-based surfaces, use an oil-based primer. Choose from tinted, grey, or white primers and uniformly coat the surfaces. Use a paint roller for easy application, and let the liquid dry out. 

Picking out the right paint

Picking out the perfect paint will add shine to your exterior and protect it from the sun’s rays. Latex or Satin paints are better as they apply easily and dry quickly. Also, choose a colour that provides a good finish. 

Once the kind of paint is decided, the next important decision is to be made about the colour shade. Pick only one or two colours to make the exterior walls look less cluttered. Avoid picking dark colours like black as they will trap unnecessary heat. Pick cool or light tones that will also be pleasing to one’s eyes. Pick a theme for your exterior decor and use a paint colour that goes with the decided theme for an easy guide.

Applying the paint 

Buy good quality brushes. If done manually and without enough experience, the job could be messy, so stick to mini-rollers and brushes instead of a paint spray. Although, for corners and areas that require precision, a paintbrush works the best. 

For the number of paint coats, always think less. Lighter shades do not require multiple layers of paint; slightly darker shades can give an excellent finish with two top coats. Extra layers will only result in flaking of the paint job in a few years. Also, clean your brushes after a session without fail so they stay sturdy during the entire process. Be aware of the weather, and ensure the skies remain clear since bad weather will just run the paint off and make the job difficult. 

Maintaining the paint job

Once the painting job finishes, you must focus on adequately taking care of your exterior, so the paint lasts a long time. Keep inspecting for any cracks in colour or the surface and fill them immediately with putty. Moulds or mildew must be removed from the walls as they cause significant damage to the walls. Retouch any area that starts peeling.

What are the benefits of painting the exterior of your house?

• A fresh paint job increases a home’s value, especially if you want to sell it or revamp the dull exterior.
• It protects the house from harsh weather, dust, and insects.
• Prepping for a re-paint job also makes you aware of other issues with your exterior, like mould problems or cracks and dents in the surface.
• With changing tastes and times, you might be over the old paint colour, and painting them is required to give a new look to your exterior that matches your unique aesthetic.
• Fresh paint also improves the air quality in and around one’s home as they emit fewer gases than the old harmful paint formulas. 
• They keep the moisture out and avoid the rotting of wood.

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