Keeping a good coat of paint, stain or preservatives on
exterior wood materials - and some metals, as well - is
essential home maintenance. In addition, most sources cite
a good fresh coat of exterior treatments as one of the
best investments you can make in getting a home ready to
sell. Here are some tips to help you do it right:
The most important thing in painting is preparation. Smooth
the surface by sanding, scraping or stripping. If it's too
damaged, repair or replace it. If you
have good reason to believe the old paint might contain
lead - as in, the paint is white and some coats were
applied more than forty years ago - avoid sanding,
scraping and other methods which create dust. Fill in
or otherwise repair missing sections. Sand to
smooth any repairs. Prime
all bare spots, including repairs. Choose a primer that is
compatible with the material you are painting and with the
paint you will use for the top coat. TIP:
use a primer that is colored to be a tint or shade of the
top coat - If the final coat is white, for example, a
little bit of green or red or blue will help you see the
primer distinctly. The paint store can do this for you.
Then you can see what's primed AND you can tell when
you've painted over all of the primer. Does
your house now look like it has measles? Good, you
probably got it right. Paint
it. Finally. Use a good exterior paint. Use brushes made
for the kind of paint you are using. To
minimize brush marks, touch the brush down on an unpainted
area and lift it from an area painted earlier.
Keeping a good coat of paint, stain or preservatives on
exterior wood materials - and some metals, as well - is
essential home maintenance. In addition, most sources cite
a good fresh coat of exterior treatments as one of the
best investments you can make in getting a home ready to
sell. Here are some tips to help you do it right: 
Smooth
the surface by sanding, scraping or stripping. If it's too
damaged, repair or replace it. 
TIP:
use a primer that is colored to be a tint or shade of the
top coat - If the final coat is white, for example, a
little bit of green or red or blue will help you see the
primer distinctly. The paint store can do this for you.
Then you can see what's primed AND you can tell when
you've painted over all of the primer.
