With warm weather just around the corner, it will soon be time to begin those home exterior painting projects. No matter if you’re contemplating a whole house re-do or a simple front door color change, spring is the perfect time to spruce up your home. And, a fresh coat of paint adds not only to “curb appeal” but also helps to protect what is probably your largest investment—your home.

To get picture-perfect, long-lasting results, follow these four basic rules for a successful and attractive exterior paint job.

1. Prepare the surface properly.
Anyone who has ever painted knows that there is a natural tendency to start applying paint as quickly as possible. But even the best quality paints can fail if they are applied to a dirty or unsound surface.

Before beginning to paint, make sure the surface is clean and free of chalk and dirt. Use soap and water with a scrub brush, then rinse, Or, consider using a power washer, when may be rented or purchased. Treat any mildew on the surface with a 1;3 mixture of household bleach and water Apply the mixture and allow it to remain on the surface of 20 minutes. Be sure to wear eye protection.

Remove any loose, flaking or peeling paint by scraping, sanding or wire brushing. Feather back rough paint edges by sanding. If you are repainting a glossy surface, be sure to sand it so that the new paint will adhere better. And, spot prime any bare wood.

Finally, brush off any dust or particles left from the sanding and scraping prior to painting.

2. Buy top quality acrylic latex paint.

To get a durable paint job, be sure to purchase the highest quality paint. A top quality acrylic latex paint is an excellent choice for most exterior applications. These paints have superior adhesion, and will maintain a tight grip on a properly prepared surface. This helps prevent premature paint failures like blistering, flaking and peeling.

Another plus with top quality acrylic late paint is its flexibility, which enables it to expand and contract with the surface below when temperatures rise of fall dramatically. This adds to the life of the paint job.

3. Use the right tools and brushes.
To get the best results from your top quality paint purchase apply it with good quality brushes, rollers and other applications equipment. They’ll make the work more effortless and help you apply a thicker, more uniform coat of paint for a better-looking, longer lasting paint job.

With brushes and rollers, be sure that you have the right type of applicator for the paint you are applying. Use synthetic-bristle brushes and synthetic-nap rollers for latex paints. Finally, when choosing brushes, use those that are tightly packed and well-balanced.

4. Paint in the right weather conditions.
Weather conditions play an important role in both paint application as well as the long-term performance. Choose the right type of day to do your exterior painting. It’s best to paint when the weather is mild but not to hot and when there is little or no wind. It’s also best to avoid painting in direct sunshine, since the surface of your house can be 10 or even 20 degrees hotter than the air temperature, which can cause the paint to dry too quickly. By painting in moderate weather, you’ll get the best performance from your paint and your effort.

Tackling exterior home painting projects add both value and protection. By following these four simple steps, you’ll get a long-lasting and attractive finish. For more tips on home exterior painting, visit www.paintquality.com, where a great paint job begins.