Are you planning on repainting the outside of your home by yourself? Well, then you’ll need a few tips about the primer you’re going to be using. It seems straightforward enough to apply primer until you start. Several things can go wrong, whether you missed a spot or unevenly applied it.

Before anything goes too drastically wrong, here are the tips you’ll need to do it right on the first try!

Tips on How to Apply Exterior Wall Primer

There are multiple tips on correctly applying exterior wall primer, but here are some of those most important ones!

Invest in a Good Ladder

There’s no way you can reach the very top of the wall. When you need to paint every nook and cranny, you can’t opt for reach as high up as you can. But, makeshift platforms are highly unsafe and can lead to injuries you could have easily avoided by investing in a ladder.

The right ladder will help you reach every nook and cranny without having to overreach and hurt yourself in the process. Getting the right ladder is imperative in this goal. For certain height buildings, you might even require scaffolding!

Whatever the equipment required, make sure to get it – it’s worth the investment.

Check the Forecast

You don’t want a damp wall or rain ruining your primer. If it’s rained a bit before, then the wall will be too wet for the primer to take. But, if there’s a chance of rain, the primer could be affected if it hasn’t dried on time.

When you check your forecast, make sure you pick a day that doesn’t have rain to ruin your painting! It’s best to choose a day with the greatest chance of sunlight!

Use the Right Tools

A primer provides your paint with a stable surface to adhere to and makes sure it doesn’t wear off as quickly. When you’re painting the exterior, it’s essential to apply your primer properly!

When applying your exterior wall primer, it’s best to use something like a natural bristle brush over a roller. The coat needs to be even and reach every crack and crevice of the wall, so using a roller would be ineffective.

Prep Your Surface

Whether you’re applying paint or primer, you’ll need to prep your surface. Prepping the surface involves the following steps:

• Removing any contaminants like lead paint that might still be on the walls
• Washing the walls to remove any dirt that can create an uneven surface
• Make the needed repairs
• Remove any remaining peeling paint
• Sand the walls

You’re prepping the surface to provide a base for your primer and later the paint to adhere to. When you have layers of old paint or dirt still on the walls, the final finish is bumpy and textured in the worst way.

Choosing between Paint-Primer Combos and Dedicated Primer

With all the tips in hand, you might be ready to start painting when you see a Paint-and-Primer combo. If you have an option to use all-in-one paint, why wouldn’t you do that?

Well, there are several reasons, but the main one is that paint and primer combos are perfect for certain situations like:

• You’re repainting the exterior the same color or a few shades darker.
• There is no peeling paint
• You’re not painting any kind of wood

If you don’t fit the criteria, it’s best to use a dedicated primer and then paint on top. It lets you switch colors, fix issues such as peeling, and gives your home a much smoother finish!

Wrapping Up

Exterior wall primer is important for several reasons, including the longevity of your paint and a smoother finish. But applying it requires a few tips. If you get your exterior wall primer applied wrong, there is every chance you’ll end with a textured house. So, with these few tips in mind, go forth and prime your home!