Get Ready for Exterior Painting and Finishing
From choosing the right paint brushes to understanding what makes finishes last, this collection of our best articles on painting and finishing has all you need to know before diving into your next project.
Exterior finishes are what you see first when you arrive home, when you open your front door, or when you’re enjoying an evening on the deck. But don’t be fooled—they may be the the last phase of a project, but the way you prepare for and apply finishes can make the difference between enjoying the exterior of a home for years to come, or having to redo your work sooner than you expected. As a supplement to our project guides on Painting, Decks, and Windows & Doors, this list provides a great starting place for both DIY homeowners and contractors looking to complete a great job for a client. Learn how to restore a door, why your existing paint looks the way it does and how to fix it, how to finish a deck, what options are out there for paint sprayers, and more.
-
Tools & Materials
1
Choose the Right Primer for Your Next Painting Project
-
How-To
2
Deciding on Wood Fillers
-
How-To
3
Why Pay More for Paint?
-
How-To
4
Pro Tips for Choosing Paint
-
Design
5
What’s the Difference: Exterior Paint vs. Solid-Body Stains
-
Tools & Materials
6
What’s the Difference: Paintbrushes
-
Tools & Materials
7
A User-Friendly Remodeler’s Spray Rig
-
Tools & Materials
8
Semi-Pro Paint Sprayer
-
How-To
9
Making Sense of Caulks and Sealants
-
How-To
10
10 Tips to Paint Like a Pro
-
How-To
11
Lead-Safe Remodeling
-
How-To
12
How to Identify Why Exterior Paint Is Failing, and How to Avoid It
-
Tools & Materials
13
The Art of Pressure Washing
-
How-To
14
How To Remove Exterior Paint
-
How-To
15
House Painting: Spray Rig vs. Brush and Roller
-
How-To
16
Repainting a House: Don’t Be Afraid to Spray
-
Tools & Materials
17
Paint Problems and How to Prevent Them
-
How-To
18
Finishing an Exterior Door, Ep. 1: Sanding and Prepping the Door
-
How-To
19
Skillful Brushwork for Doors and Windows
-
How-To
20
Restore a Wood Entry Door
-
How-To
21
Brush-Painting a Steel Door
-
How-To
22
Pro Tips for Deck Refinishing
-
Tools & Materials
23
Choosing the Right Deck Finish