10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Painting Your Home

Under the vibrant sun of a new summer, the outdoors have never looked so beautiful. The grass is a bright neon green, the sky is a perfect shade of blue, and the clouds are soft and white.

As you wander the grounds of your estate (or simply step outside onto your porch), you can’t help but notice that one thing stands out against the breathtaking scenery: your house.

It's worn out. It's dirty. It's peeling and cracked like a weathered sunburn.

Suddenly, the joy of summer fades away, especially with the never-ending exterior house-painting project hanging over you. To make it more bearable, let’s turn it into a game where we predict the disastrous painting mistakes you'll make before you even make them. Steer clear of these, and you could still save your summer, time, and money.

10: Under Pressure

For those who love to cut corners, skipping a proper exterior cleaning before painting may seem like a shortcut. After all, you're just going to cover up the dirt and grime with paint—no need to change your spaghetti-stained shirt if you're going to throw a jacket over it, right?

It's no surprise that washing off accumulated dirt and paint remnants isn't just an optional step in the painting process. It's crucial for ensuring that the paint adheres properly. Fresh paint won't hide dirt for long. This important step also eliminates any mildew or mold that may have formed on the old paint [source: Hurst-Wajszczuk]. A thorough pressure wash is key to achieving that long-lasting 12-year paint job. A quick rinse won't provide the fresh, clean surface your new paint needs. Rent a pressure washer and make sure you do it right.

9: Let the Experts Lead

This isn't just a casual "don't be silly" reminder; it's genuinely crucial for your health.

Nearly 75% of U.S. homes built (and painted) before 1978 are coated with lead-based paint [source: Minnesota Department of Health]. This same lead-based paint has been linked to developmental delays in children and a range of health issues in adults [source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development]. Before you dive into scraping away, make sure to research and check if you're dealing with lead paint.

If you discover that lead paint is present, it may be wise to hire a contractor with experience in removing lead-based paint. Such a professional can assess whether grinding, heating, or using chemicals is the safest approach and will be knowledgeable about the safety measures and disposal protocols required by law in your state [source: Kolle].

8. Rush Job

If you're truly aiming to make yourself miserable, convince yourself that you can paint the entire house in a single weekend.

Consider it this way: You probably wouldn’t hire a contractor who promised to finish a paint job in just two days, unless six people were working at once. That’s because they need time for washing, any necessary repairs (which might include sanding or priming), and a couple of coats of paint. In other words, professionals would take at least three to four days with three painters for an average-sized house [source: Tedeschi]. If it's just you and a buddy? You should plan on a minimum of a week to complete all the steps, and don’t be surprised if it extends into two.

We all know that the biggest problem with underestimating your timeline is an annoyed spouse who no longer wants to spend "just one more" summer evening up on a ladder. But beware: If you don't plan enough in advance, you could end up facing weather conditions much worse than a grumpy partner.

7: Weather or Not

Now, let’s talk about the weather. You’re no fool, so you know better than to paint when it's raining. Rain means wet, and wet paint runs. Plus, working outdoors in the rain will make you feel like Eeyore. You've got it all figured out—you’ll paint in the height of summer, with 90-degree F (32-degree C) heat, and a strong breeze to dry everything quickly! You're a genius. Even better, you'll be a sun-kissed genius.

Wrong. Painting under the hot sun is nearly as bad an idea as painting in the rain. Whether it’s sweltering heat or a gusty wind, either could cause the paint to dry too quickly, preventing it from setting properly, which leads to peeling and flaking paint [source: California Paints]. If it’s too humid, the paint might not dry well at all and could even develop a sweaty exterior, much like yourself after painting in the heat.

6: Brush Up

One of the biggest errors you can make as a DIY-er is pretending you're not one. Sometimes that means you bite off more than you can chew, and other times it means you’ve got all the professional-grade tools – but no idea how to use them.

Now, let’s talk about the sprayer. You probably watched a contractor effortlessly transform your neighbor’s dull beige ranch into a brilliant blue masterpiece in mere moments, all thanks to a high-powered paint sprayer. That’s it, you thought. I’ll get one and paint like a pro.

Not so fast. Literally. While a sprayer may seem like an incredibly efficient, foolproof method, it’s far from it. If you don’t know how to handle it, you’re in for a lesson in uneven mist or erratic streams that might end up painting your bushes, windows, or even the family dog in a beautiful eggshell white.

Unless you're experienced with sprayers, it may be wise to stick with the tried-and-true rollers and brushes.

5: Quantity Counts

This piece of advice may fall under the general category of 'don’t be a cheapskate,' alongside some of the other tips. While it might seem like the paint industry is just out to get your money – with their talk of primers, multiple coats, and expensive exterior paints – don’t let that make you so cynical that you skimp on buying enough paint to do the job properly.

There are two major issues with that approach. First, it's pretty obvious: someone will inevitably have to make a last-minute trip to the hardware store every time you run out of paint. The unfortunate soul comes back with the wrong color, you get upset, they get emotional, and your house – half "Summer Leaves," half "Evergreen Dew" – stands as a testament to ruined moods.

The second issue is that even if you manage to grab the right color, it's no guarantee the shade will be consistent. If you buy all the paint at once, you can "box" it – meaning, mix all the cans together. This ensures a uniform color, as the shade can vary slightly between buckets [source: DIY Network].

So here's a simple rule: For every 400 square feet (37 square meters) of surface area, get 1 gallon (almost 4 liters) of paint. Don't try to cut corners.

4: Cheaper Chips

Moving on to the "cheap effort, cheap results" section, here's the obvious truth: Opting for inexpensive paint is rarely worth it.

Field tests by Dow Chemical Company's Paint Quality Institute revealed that high-quality acrylic exterior paints can last nearly twice as long as their cheaper counterparts [source: Zimmer]. However, it's worth noting that Dow manufactures materials for paint, so they might have a vested interest in promoting more expensive options.

Yet most experts would agree without hesitation (or any hidden agenda) that premium paint lasts significantly longer [source: Schwartz]. While spending $25 on a can of paint instead of $50 might seem like a smart bargain, you'll likely pay the price in a few years when you're left redoing the peeling, fading, or chipping job. Think of it as a wise long-term investment.

3: An App for That

By now, you’ve probably realized that cutting corners on your exterior paint job might end up costing more than you bargained for. But there's one more crucial expense you should invest in — the brushes or rollers you're using.

Did you think we'd just recommend grabbing a handful of cheap rollers from the dollar store? Not quite. While applicators might seem insignificant, picking high-quality ones will make a significant difference in giving your house the flawless finish it deserves.

The Paint and Decorating Retailers Association highlights several reasons why premium applicators are worth the investment over, say, using your own cheap hands to smear paint across your home's exterior. Higher-end brushes are expertly designed with tapered bristles that won’t shed, and they hold more paint, allowing you to complete the job more efficiently [source: PDRA].

2: Drop and Roll

It's easy for many of us to picture the beautiful outcome of a newly painted house, but it's harder to imagine the potential mishaps that can arise during the process. That's why preparation is key — to deal with all the permanent paint you'll inevitably spill along the way.

Preparation goes beyond just throwing on some old jeans and a cap. Don’t assume you're careful enough to avoid painting the surrounding bushes and grass; instead, make sure to cover a substantial area with tarps or drop cloths around the painting zone.

And for heaven's sake, don't fool yourself into thinking your hand is steady enough to create a perfectly clean line around your trim. Make sure to tape off the windows, trim, and doors to avoid any unwanted splashes of paint in the wrong places.

1: You Paint It Yourself

The biggest blunder you can make when painting the exterior of your home?

Painting your home's exterior.

Let's be real for a moment. You don't always need a professional to paint the outside of your house. Many people have taken on this task and ended up with fantastic results. But those individuals are undoubtedly driven, well-prepared, and persistent in overcoming challenges. They might not be entirely normal in their approach.

Most of us are cheap, uninformed, and impatient, hoping for a quick and flawless finish. If that's you, it might be a better idea to hire a team of skilled contractors who can bring your vision to life. Consider everything we've covered so far: the size of the job, your timeline, costs, and materials. If you're unsure about your abilities -- or if you're dealing with a more complicated issue, like lead paint -- it's probably wise to hire professionals to handle the job.