What to Know Before Painting Your Home

Painting your home can make a huge difference in how it looks, but a quality paint job is about more than choosing a color and putting on a fresh coat of paint. Proper preparation, choosing the right products and applying them correctly all play a role in how the finished project looks and how well it holds up over time.

At Randy David Painting, we’ve been painting homes throughout Albany and the Mid-Willamette Valley since 1990. Over the years, we’ve learned that every home and every painting project is a little different. Here’s what homeowners should know before getting started.

Choosing the Right Paint for Your Home

Not every paint or coating works equally well on every surface. Wood siding, trim, drywall, masonry and other materials can require different primers and finishes, and the condition of the existing surface matters too.

That’s especially important for exterior painting in Oregon, where homes are exposed to months of rain, moisture and changing temperatures.

Before we begin a project, we evaluate the surfaces we’re working with and determine what preparation, primer and finish will work best. Choosing the right products from the beginning helps the paint adhere properly, maintain its appearance and protect the surface underneath.

Preparation Makes a Difference

One of the biggest factors in a long-lasting paint job is what happens before the painting actually begins.

For exterior projects, preparation may include pressure washing, scraping loose or failing paint, sanding, caulking, making minor repairs and priming where needed.

Interior projects require preparation too. Floors, furniture and other surfaces need to be protected, while walls, ceilings and trim may need cleaning, patching, sanding or priming before they’re painted.

Taking the time to prepare everything correctly creates a better surface for the new paint and helps produce a smoother, more professional finish.

What to Expect During a Professional Painting Project

Your project should start with a walkthrough and a conversation about what you’d like to accomplish. We’ll look at the surfaces being painted, talk about colors and finishes and identify any preparation that may be needed.

Once work begins, our crew handles the preparation and painting while keeping the work area organized. We also clean up at the end of each day so you’re not left living around a messy job site for the duration of the project.

After the final coat is complete, we clean the work area and complete a final walkthrough to make sure the details are taken care of before the project is finished.

Interior or Exterior, Big Project or Small

Not every painting project involves repainting an entire house. Sometimes a room needs an update, exterior trim needs attention or a few areas are simply starting to show their age.

We handle projects of different sizes and use the same attention to preparation and detail whether we’re updating part of your home or completing a full interior or exterior repaint.

For homeowners who want something beyond a traditional painted finish, we also offer specialty finishes, cabinet painting and staining, deck painting and staining, masonry coatings and other painting and restoration services.

Painting Homes in Oregon’s Climate

Our climate can be tough on exterior surfaces. Rain, moisture, sun exposure and seasonal temperature changes all affect how paint performs over time.

That’s one reason timing, surface preparation and product selection are so important for exterior projects. Surfaces need to be properly prepared and dry enough for the products being applied, and weather conditions have to cooperate during application and curing.

Different areas of the same house can even weather differently. A side that receives strong sun exposure may fade or deteriorate differently than an area that stays shaded and damp.

After more than 35 years of painting homes in the Mid-Willamette Valley, we’ve had plenty of experience working with Oregon weather and understanding what our homes are exposed to.

Ready to Give Your Home a Fresh Look?

Whether you’re planning an interior update, an exterior repaint or you’re not quite sure what your home needs, we’re happy to take a look and talk through your options.

Contact Randy David Painting at 541-979-0599 or request a free estimate online.