As winter ends and spring presents with longer, warmer days, those longer days  allow you to spend more time outside. Unfortunately, that extra time outside also provides you with the opportunity to notice the peeling or faded exterior of your home. If you are ready to update your home's paint job, you are likely to find the following advice to be quite helpful.  

#1-Buy (And Mix) All Of the Paint At The Same Time

Although you are probably already aware that custom paint should be blended and stored together in order to maintain its consistentcy and color, you may not know that doing so when over-the-counter paint is bought is also a good idea. That is because it is possible for the colors in paint to fade or develop minute differences over time.

To prevent that, it is best to buy the amount of paint that you need at one time, then open and store the contents together in an approved container. In addition, be sure to mix the contents very well prior to each use.

#2-Rethink Your Plastic Drop Cloths

Even though plastic drop cloths are often associated with quick clean-ups, it is important to note that they are rarely the most appropriate choice. For instance, even though it is possible to tape a plastic cloth to the ground, concrete and wall to prevent paint drops from landing in an unwanted area, there is no guarantee that taped plastic will maintain its desired location. That can become even more likely when the plastic cloth is covered with paint in varying degress of drying.

Instead, you should consider using heavy drop cloths made of fabric. By using fabric tape to secure each cloth as you paint, the area will often be able to stay more secure than it could with the slippery plastic cloth. In addition, if you allow each cloth to dry thoroughly, you can even wash and reuse them in the future.     

#3-Don't Wait Till The Dog Days Of Summer To Paint Your Home

It is important to remember that just as the heat from a hot day can impact the final appearance of paint as it is being applied, the same is also true after it has been applied. Simply put, when paint dries faster on a hot day and dries more slowly on a cool day, subtle aspects of its shading can change. Therefore, it will behoove you to schedule your painting to occur on consecutive days when you can count on the weather to be similar from one day to the next.    

In conclusion, it is easy to go for long periods of time without paying much attention to the condition of the outside of your home. If you have recently noticed that your home could benefit from new paint, it is a good idea to be aware of the above advice as part of your preparations. Consider reaching out to a professional that specializes in residential exterior painting.