A Checklist for Exterior Painting
From prep to cleaning, use these tips from a pro painter to stay organized in your exterior painting project.
A quality exterior paint job depends on tackling all of the project tasks in the right order. Here’s the checklist I give to our employees so they don’t miss a step.
Prep
1. Greet homeowners and introduce yourself
2. Set up yard sign; verify scope, colors, and finishes and create project plan; set up GoPro
3. Check for and document previous damages to surfaces
4. Label paint cans
5. Unload extension ladders
6. Set up shop area; establish staging area by trailer if possible
7. Protect workspace from paint chips/spatter with drop cloths and masking
8. Remove downspouts/fixtures (per scope) and place in labeled baggies
9. Set up ladders
10. Scrape loose paint thoroughly wearing all PPE
11. Drop paint chips in trash bags and vac all areas clean; remove masking and coverings
12. Set up pressure washer with cleaning solution mix; wash needed areas from top down
13. Allow proper dry time
14. Protect and cover work area with drop cloths and masking
15. Light-sand rough areas with 150-grit sandpaper by hand (Do not power-sand lead)
16. Apply one spot coat or full oil prime to seal wood (per scope), trim then body
Paint
17. Patch, fill, and repair as needed
18. Apply caulking to gaps and cracks to seal from moisture and apply glazing
19. Light-sand rough surfaces as needed
20. Set up paint kits; mask surfaces to protect from overspray; cover rooflines
21. Spray or hand-tool one to two finish coats as the job requires to ensure that the house is covered (use left-right, top-down method to ensure you keep a wet edge and prevent the paint from flashing)
DO NOT GET INTO PAINT UNTIL 100% OF PREP WORK IS COMPLETED
Clean
22. Allow proper dry time between coats (reference paint cans as needed)
23. Clean roller kits, brushes, and spray equipment
24. Return tools to designated area in trailer—keep them organized
25. Place trash bags in appropriate client trash bins
26. Leave property in as good or better condition than when we arrived
27. Replace fixtures, downspouts, and hardware
28. Complete detailed job-site walk through to confirm perfection
29. Thank the client by name
From Fine Homebuilding #311
This article originally appeared as part of 7 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job in issue 311
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