Exterior Painting New Haven, CT: How to Prep Your Patio Before Painting.

Summer is finally here with us, and now is the perfect time to hire a patio painter. The summer season is ideal for repainting. However, an exterior painting project like painting a patio takes a lot of preparation when you decide to undertake it yourself. The patio is an ideal place to have a good time with family or friends, especially with the prevailing condition. With the warm temperatures returning and the barbecue season looming, an aesthetic patio will be well appreciated. If you are considering repainting yours and transforming your outdoor space, don’t hesitate to ask us for advice. We are happy to help you with your patio painting projects. To help you decide whether you need to hire a patio painter, or if you can do it yourself, here is a list of great tips for preparing your exterior painting project.

What To Know Before Starting to Paint a Patio 

There are many steps to take when painting a patio. The most important and first is to identify the type of wood for your patio. A hemlock patio will need to be prepared differently from a pine patio because the two types of wood are very different at a granular level. You will also need to consider some important elements for your restoration project, such as:

• The current peeling of the paint;
• The graying of the wood
• Signs of mold

Each of these elements affects how a patio painter goes about restoring your patio.

The Main Prep Steps You Need to Paint Like a Pro

• Use a stripper. If you have no idea what product is already on your patio, you will need to strip it to return the product to natural wood. We strongly advise against simply repainting over a product of which you do not know the origin because your paint could be damaged quickly and the work will have to be redone. If possible, the wood should be bare before starting your patio painting project.
• Clean, sand, and repair the wood. Your wooden patio may be showing signs of aging, such as graying, blackening, and discoloration. In this case, we suggest using a cleaning product to remove as much encrusted dirt as possible. After cleaning, it’s time to sand. A patio painter typically uses an 80 grit sandpaper. You will need to sand in the direction of the grain of the wood. You can use a ribbon, vibratory or orbital sander to speed up the process. Just make sure your wood is dry before taking this step.
• Protect the wood. To paint like a pro patio painter, you will need to add a protective coat to your wood before repainting. A brightener helps protect your wood and usually comes with a translucent or semi-transparent finish. We do not recommend repainting directly over bare wood, as you may damage the wood and make a future repainting project more difficult.
• Drying. Finally, wait until your patio is dry before starting your project. Several paint projects fail because homeowners don’t wait for the wood to dry sufficiently. The moisture level of the wood greatly influences the adhesion of the paint. You should therefore choose to repaint on a sunny day and make sure you have a good 6 to 8 hours of sunlight to allow the paint to dry.
  

Contact New Haven Painters Today!

Repainting a patio takes a lot of preparation, so we recommend hiring a patio painter to complete your project. Need professional help to repaint your patio or home exterior? NHV Painters can help. We offer affordable, reliable, and durable painting services in New Haven, Branford, Milford, Orange, North Haven, West Haven, East Haven, and the surrounding areas. Book a FREE estimate below to get started, or call us (203) 606-2346, so we can talk about your project.

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