Painting the exterior of your home is more involved than just selecting a paint color and applying it to the surface. There are a lot of decisions and prep work that goes into the job before you even lift a brush. In fact, preparing the surface is a more difficult and time consuming task than the painting itself. The exterior of your home will have to stand up to severe weather conditions, so it is important that you take careful consideration into choosing the right type of paint for your job. Neptune Construction will not only complete the job for you from start to finish, but we can assist you in selecting top quality paint for better protection and longer lasting results.

Procedure

• Exterior surface preparation: Before starting your project, we will make sure we have all of the required materials to complete your job: brushes, scrapers, goggles, ladders, rags, drop cloths, cleaners, buckets, etc. so, that there is no need to stop.
• Cover your windows, doors, exterior appliances and areas that are not intended to be painted.
• Pressure wash the exterior of the building to remove loose particles such as leaves, dirt, etc. This is especially important for cleaning off any mildew, which may exist. A wire brush can be used to clean brick and a wet rag will suffice to clean siding.
• Repair any exterior damage such as cracks and holes. We may have to sand the surface if it is too sleek, so that the paint will adhere to the surface.
• Apply primer to the areas which will be painted. Water-based primers are best to use for most applications; however, oil-based primers is recommended for metals and wood. Oil- based primers can be used under water-based or oil-based paint; but, using a water-based primer under an oil-based paint is not recommended.
• If you are using latex paint, do not paint if the temperature is below 45 degrees. If you are using an oil-based paint, do not paint if the temperature is below 50 degrees.
• Start with the part of the house that is in the shade. Direct sunlight will cause the paint to dry too fast.
• Paint from top to bottom and from side to side.
• Do not apply a second coat of paint until the first coat has completely dried.
• If the building is high or on a hillside, scaffolding will need to be used to ensure safety.*

*Please note: we are in complete compliance with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requirements.

Types of Exterior Paint 
The two main types of exterior paints are latex (or water-based, or acrylic) and oil-based (or alkyd). There are pros and cons with each.

• Latex paint is generally less expensive and is much easier to use because it can be cleaned with soap and water. It dries quickly, so a second coat can be applied the same day. On one hand this is good; but, it also means it is possible that you will notice stroke marks more-so than with oil based paint.
• Oil-based paints are glossier and they reflect more light. Oil-based paint goes on smoother; however, since it takes longer to dry, it is possible for your paint to be smeared or for foreign elements – such as dirt and bugs – to adhere to the paint before it dries completely. Also, oil- based paint must be cleaned up using a solvent, such as paint thinner. It is preferable to use an oil-based paint if you have an older home that has layers of old oil-based paint. Latex paint will shrink and cause cracking and peeling. Neptune Construction will make sure to examine the surface thoroughly before deciding on which type of paint would be better to use on your home.

Both latex and oil-based paints can be hazardous if disposed of incorrectly. Unused latex paint can be disposed of by pouring it into a paper bag filled with cat litter, sand or sawdust. Wait for the paint to be absorbed before disposing. Oil-based paints are much harder to dispose of and are subject to public health risks as well as risks to the environment. It is safest to bring any unused paint directly to a recycling center.

The Best Brands 
When considering brands, ‘Sherwin-Williams Duration’ is often listed at the top of the list of most professionals, followed closely by ‘Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint’. Benjamin Moore is also highly recommended. Neptune construction will fulfill our clients wish as to their choice of paint brand.

Elastomeric paint (which is a latex product) is possibly the best exterior finish you can buy. It is costly; however, it is extremely durable. It works very well on concrete, brick, stucco and masonry and is the best way to prevent moisture penetration. The thick coating it provides is great for cracks and holes. Elastomeric paint can last years longer than its closest competitor, which will save time and money in the long-run. Due to the thickness of the paint, it is best to use a powerful sprayer for application.

Choosing Luster/Sheen 
As far as luster, the main choices are satin, flat, semi-gloss and gloss. Flat paint is the most popular for exterior siding. Gloss is the easiest to clean. There is no right or wrong decision in choosing the luster. It is completely an aesthetic choice and makes no difference when it comes to the longevity of the paint job.

Should you choose Neptune Construction for you exterior painting job, we assure you that we will make sure not to leave any unnecessary unsightly materials behind at the end of each workday. We will provide on-site porta-potties for our workers, so that there will be no need for them to enter your home. We will be committed to your project and we guarantee that you will be satisfied with the final results of the beautiful new exterior of your home.