Determine what paints should be used on which materials wood, masonry, shingles, aluminum, or other metals by working with a reputable paint dealer. Explain the paint project in detail to your dealer. If there's any question, the label on the can should be your first source of information.
Avoid painting in direct, hot summer sun; when air and surface temperatures are below 50 degrees; during foggy weather; or on damp surfaces.
Put drop cloths where you're about to paint. Don't forget sidewalks, driveways and shrubbery.
Bring your equipment primer, brushes, scraper, wire brush and sandpaper up with you to minimize the number of ladder trips. But only bring what you can carry safely.
Clean dust and dirt off the surface with a sturdy cloth or stiff brush. Use a nail set and hammer to sink nailheads below the surface of wood. Spot-prime these areas, and when dry, fill with putty.
Scrape away old damaged paint with a broad knife and wire brush, and smooth all rough areas with sandpaper.
Where the old paint has retained its gloss (under eaves or on trim), roughen surfaces with sandpaper or wire brush. New paint won't adhere well to an old slick surface.
Clean and scrape gutters and downspouts to remove rust and peeling paint. Wash protected areas with water.
Apply prime coat and let dry.
Check that all nails have been countersunk, holes puttied, window and door frames caulked as necessary, and cracks filled.
Mix finish paint thoroughly before starting, and again from time to time as you work. After using three-fourths of a can, stir up a new gallon and add it to the used can. Pour the paint back and forth a few times to ensure color uniformity.
Work paint thoroughly into the brush by dipping it about two inches into the paint and gently tapping off the excess against the inside of the can. Repeat this several times. Then apply paint generously along the joint of the siding, distributing it evenly as you brush.
Be sure to coat the under edge of clapboard Feather the ends of your brush strokes to assure smoothness where one painted area joins another.
Paint from the top down to keep drips and spatters from spoiling previously painted areas. Paint gutters and eaves first if they are to match the siding color.
Work from side to side rather than top to bottom by coating four or five boards across the house until completed.
Finish with the trim and shutters. These are usually painted last and often in a contrast color. If the shutters can be removed, paint them separately and replace when the rest of the job is done. Paint sashes and recessed parts of the windows first, then finish up with frames and sills.
