Does Your Home Exterior Have Multiple Layers of Paint? Here’s What to Do Before Repainting

Writer • June 1, 2020

Part of the fun (and challenge) of moving into a new home is discovering all of the little quirks that make the new house unique. It takes time to learn which light switch does what, which circuit breaker is linked to what room and how you have to jiggle the keys just right on that one funny door.

One thing you can discover, even after living in a home for years, can happen when you seek exterior painting service in Pensacola, FL and are told your home already has several layers of paint on it. Your options at this point will depend on how you want to address the situation, and qualified professionals like those at Fresh Start Painting Inc. can help guide you on what is likely to be the best choice for you.

Think of the long run

If you start exploring your options for a paint job, you’ll soon find that you basically have two choices: you can either touch up the existing paint job or strip everything bare and start with a completely fresh slate. The latter scenario is where it’s more likely that the factor of multiple coats is going to come into play, since this can complicate sanding for companies that specialize in exterior painting in Pensacola, FL.

The good news is that this type of stripped-bare scenario is setting you up for long-term success—you’re much more likely to go years without needing maintenance on the paint job if you do it right the first time.

Touching up

Your other option when working with exterior paint, as opposed to stripping it bare, is to touch up the paint job. This will entail removing loose paint and using a putty knife to even out wood that dips or gouges, and then sand it down to make sure everything is smooth. Teams that do exterior painting in Pensacola, FL will be able to ensure that your exterior surface is uniform and ready to hold more quality paint, regardless of the materials that make up your siding.

Dealing with lead

The United States did not ban the use paints containing lead until 1978, even though they fell out of favor around the 1950s. Thus, if your home was built prior to 1978, the odds are good that the exterior will contain lead in at least one of its layers of paint, if not more. There are rules and regulations governing these situations that differ from state to state, and any good painting contractor will not only have a thorough understanding of these guidelines, but will also follow them without negotiation.

Painting the exterior of your home is a big job. It can take a long time to gather estimates and figure out which contractor makes you feel the best about the prospects. At Fresh Start Painting Inc., our crews know how to deal with challenges like a number of coats already being present on your home’s exterior. Call us today for an estimate at your home or business!

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