6 House Painting Myths You Need to Stop Believing Today

Call them myths, misconceptions, or old wives’ tales, but there are a few things that people believe when it comes to house painting, which are not quite true. House painting is surrounded by a lot of mythology, and this sometimes causes homeowners and DIY enthusiasts to make the wrong moves when handling their residential painting projects.

Here is a quick rundown of some of the most popular incorrect things that people believe about painting and the actual truths behind them.

You Don’t Need a Primer

A few DIY painters believe that using a primer is a waste of time, money, and energy, while the pros believe that the primer is an absolute necessity. The truth is, if you want to end up with an even, smooth, and durable coat of paint, you shouldn’t skip the primer. The most important reason why you would need a primer is, it helps the paint adhere properly to the surface. Additionally, it blocks the stains and traces of old paint that might otherwise bleed through the newly applied paint.

If You Use a Primer, You Don’t Need to Clean or Sand Wall

This is quite popular and often creates an avenue for self-defeating shortcuts. While the primer creates a suitable surface for proper paint adherence, the primer itself can’t stick to a dirty, greasy, uneven surface. Proper surface preparation creates a stage for an excellent paint job that will last for years against harsh weather elements. So make sure you wash, sand, strip paint, and caulk where necessary.

Planning to Sell Your House? No Need to Paint

Unless you’re selling your home “as-is” to agents for renovation, most homebuyers will want a home that is ready to move in and has the best looks. Painting your home is the easiest and cheapest way to give it a major facelift and increase its value, almost instantly. Curb appeal is the most important aspect that creates a ‘wow’ effect when a buyer walks into your compound. And a fresh coat of paint, in addition to a well-maintained landscape can do a lot along those lines.

Power Washing is Unnecessary –Unless the Exterior is Really Dirty

Cleaning is the obvious first step when your exterior is full of visible dirt, grime, and mildew. But when the surface looks relatively clean or the house is still new, do you really need to pressure wash? Well, your siding collects a lot of fine dirt and mildew spores that can sometimes be invisible to a naked eye. Equally, the fine powder created due to paint breakdown cannot be easily noticed. And painting over such a surface without pressure washing sets a stage for premature paint failure.

Exterior Paints are All the Same

Are they? While we can all agree that different types of paint formulations exist, sometimes even paints that are meant to have the same properties from different manufacturers don’t resemble. A “beige” paint from one company, for instance, might be slightly lighter compared to an equivalent classification from a different company, even if they’re all labeled “beige.” The bottom line here is, always go for quality, proven brands for consistency, efficiency, and durability.

Your Trim Should Always be White

Is your trim white? Probably, and that’s OK. However, it doesn’t always have to be. Most homeowners and DIY painters default to white as the “standard” color for the trim. Given its relatively small size, you can safely experiment with different paint colors on your trim without making a big design mess –as long as you keep things coordinated and balanced.

Bottom Line

Well, there you have it! I hope the above facts helped clear some confusion as you approach your next repainting project. If you’re looking for professional painting services, Matthews’ Painting Company can help. We offer professional, durable, and reliable residential painting services in Warsaw, Syracuse, Lake Tippecanoe area, Winona Lake area, Columbia City, Indiana, and surrounding Indiana cities.

Contact us today for more details or a free estimate! (574) 834-3575