When painting the exterior of your home:
- Always start with a clean surface
- Paint one side of the house at a time, starting with the highest point
- Apply a full, even coat to one side of the house at a time
- Always paint the trim last
Frequently Asked Exterior Painting Questions
How to Do Exterior Painting
Learning how to paint the exterior of your house can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. If you want to add to your curb appeal or just figure out how much paint you need, Dutch Boy® is here to help with answers to the most frequently asked exterior painting questions.
Exterior painting preparation is all about the details.
Exterior surfaces must be clean before painting. Thoroughly wash with a house-cleaner-and-water solution, making sure to remove any and all mildew. Rinse and allow the surface to thoroughly dry.
If there is loose or peeling paint on the exterior of the home, scraping and sanding* is needed. Remove all sanding dust by rinsing, and allow the surface to dry.
The appropriate exterior primer should be applied to any bare or stained surfaces.
The ideal temperature for exterior painting is between 50 F and 85 F. Higher temperatures can cause the water in the paint to evaporate too quickly, resulting in bubbles/blisters, while lower temperatures can prevent paint from drying properly.
Always avoid painting in direct sunlight, strong winds or when rain is expected within 48 hours.
To achieve one-coat coverage on the exterior of your home, paint should be applied at a maximum of 400 square feet per gallon. Rough or textured exterior surfaces may require more paint. On these areas allow for 25-30 square feet per gallon. Some bright colors may require multiple coats to achieve sufficient hide.
Visit our Exterior Paint Calculator for an approximate estimate of the paint needed for the exterior of your home.
When using more than one gallon of the same product, mix the gallons together to ensure color and sheen uniformity.
Two coats of this paint will provide maximum protection.
Dutch Boy primers are specifically formulated to seal porous surfaces and block stains, as well as ensure the proper adhesion of the topcoat and produce the best possible coverage.
Learn more about the purpose of primers.
It is always smart to operate spray equipment with safety cautions. Always use respiratory and eye protection.
Learning how to use a paint sprayer depends on the type of spray gun you have. All spray guns are different and it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
Yes. Before painting aluminum or vinyl siding, always make sure the surfaces are clean and remove any chalk or dirt. Use a Dutch Boy exterior acrylic latex paint for best adhesion and flexibility.
When painting vinyl siding, we do not recommend applying a color that is darker than the original surface.
Visit our exterior paint products for more information.
Avoid painting when rain is expected within 48 hours. When caring for exterior painted surfaces, such as porches and decks, avoid putting furniture on the painted surface for at least 48 hours.
Allow new paint applications to cure for at least 30 days before you clean the freshly painted surface. The best way to care for freshly painted surfaces is to wash them with a mild nonabrasive cleaner and water.
Our Dutch Boy exterior line of paints offers a special additive to make our mold- and mildew-resistant products.
If mold or mildew exists on your surface, they must be removed before painting.
Frequently Asked Interior Painting Questions
How to Do Interior Painting
Dutch Boy knows that a little help can go a long way when it comes to painting. That's why we've created a list of the most frequently asked questions about interior painting.
Wondering in what order to paint a room? When painting an entire room, you should work from top to bottom.
- Ceiling
- Walls
- Trim (including doors and windows)
- Baseboards
How to prep walls for painting depends on the condition of the surface. As a general rule, walls should be clean, dry and dull.
Walls that have never been painted should have a primer applied before painting; or, if you are using a paint that is self-priming or a paint-and-primer-in-one, your first coat of paint can act as the priming coat. For previously painted walls, thoroughly wash them with a mild soap-and-water solution, then rinse with clean water. If your existing surface was painted previously with semi-gloss or gloss paint, the surface should be lightly sanded* to a duller finish and all sanding dust removed.
If there is loose or peeling paint, scraping and sanding of the affected area is needed. When preparing walls for painting, scrub all surfaces to remove all dirt, grease, oil, etc. Rinse surface well and allow to dry. Apply appropriate patching material to cracks, nail holes or other surface imperfections, sand* smooth, and remove sanding dust.
If the walls have not been painted in five years or more, or if they are stained, a primer or two coats of a paint-and-primer should be used.
Visit our Tips section for more information on preparing to paint.
Room and surface temperatures between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal painting conditions. Paint dries best between 65 F and 85 F.
To achieve one-coat coverage, paint should be applied at a maximum of 400 square feet per gallon. Rough or textured surfaces may require more paint. On these areas, allow for 125-300 square feet per gallon. Do not thin.
Depending on your project and the type of structure you are painting, paints may be applied with a nylon/polyester brush, a paint pad or spray unit.
Dutch Boy primers are specifically formulated to seal porous surfaces and block stains, as well as ensure the proper adhesion of the topcoat and produce the best possible coverage. When to use primer depends on the surface and type of paint you use. For most projects, you can use a paint-and-primer-in-one instead of a primer; however, we recommend using a primer for surfaces with rust water or smoke damage.
Learn more about primers.
Wallpaper can be painted over, but it is not recommended. It is very important to properly prepare the surface if you decide to paint over wallpaper. Be sure to remove any loose wallpaper, scuff and sand* the surface. Once you have prepared the surface, please find the suitable Dutch Boy paint-and-primer-in-one or self-priming product approved for use over wallpaper.
Yes, you can apply latex paint over oil-based paint.
But be sure to prepare the surface properly before painting. Oil-based paints should be sanded* to a flat finish before painting. Thoroughly rinse to the surface to remove sanding dust and dirt, then apply Dutch Boy oil-based primer and the desired Dutch Boy latex paint.
Our no-prep no-prime formula in Dutch Boy Platinum allows for painting over gloss and semi-gloss surfaces without the need to sand* or prime. So if you use Platinum you will not need to do any extra steps.
No, you cannot use exterior paint inside.
Exterior paints are formulated to be more flexible to withstand temperature and climate changes.
A second coat of latex paint may be applied 4 hours after the first coat.
Avoid touching, wiping or cleaning painted walls and surfaces for 30 days. After that time, dirt and stains may be removed with a mild, nonabrasive cleaner and water.
Do not place objects on windowsills and shelves until the paint is thoroughly dry.
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*WARNING
Removal of old finishes by sanding, scraping, or other means may generate dust or fumes that contain lead. Exposure to lead dust or fumes may cause brain damage or other adverse health effects, especially in children or pregnant women. Controlling exposure to lead or other hazardous substances requires the use of proper protective equipment, such as a properly fitted respirator (NIOSH approved) and proper containment and cleanup. For more information, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (in US) or contact your local health authority.