Dulux Weathershield Front Door Vast Lake & Jasmine White

Dr Dulux: How Can I Achieve The Perfect Finish On My Walls?

Achieve the perfect finish on your exterior walls with Dr Dulux. Painting your home's exterior may seem daunting, but our preparation guide has you covered.

 

Warmer and hopefully drier weather is on the horizon. Which means it will soon be the perfect time to paint your exterior walls and woodwork. Your masonry gets a bashing from the elements all year round, but with the right preparation, you can ensure your exterior looks pristine for years to come. Here’s how to paint exterior walls like a pro.

Q: How can I achieve the perfect finish on my exterior walls?

A: There’s no denying that painting house exteriors is a big job. So it’s important to make sure that it’s a big job done well. And Dr Dulux is here to help you with these exterior house painting tips.

When figuring out how much paint you’ll need, calculate the width and height of the entire house then remember to subtract measurements of windows and doors for an accurate final total, so you can get the right quantity of paint. This will vary depending on which Weathershield product you use.

Weathershield All Weather Smooth Masonry paint typically provides coverage of 15m2/L, compared to 9m2/L coverage for Weathershield All Weather Textured Masonry paintWeathershield Ultimate Protection Smooth Masonry paint provides coverage of 12m2/L.

 

Tip 1: Wash the walls

Cleaning your walls is an all important first step that you don’t want to skip. Make sure your walls are free of any dirt, debris or stains. We’d also recommend treating any patches of mould or algae with Weathershield Multisurface Fungicidal Wash. Then, remove any surface dirt and any loose or flaking paint by giving the whole surface a good wash down. Make sure you then rinse the wall with clean water to ensure a quality finish that lasts for years. 

DrDulux The Perfect Finish Wash Walls

Tip 2: Repair and prime

Now you have a clean base, the next step is to repair any cracks or holes in the render with Polycell Multi Purpose Polyfilla, so you get a perfect finish. Depending on what materials your walls are made of, a good exterior house painting tip is to start off with a coat of Weathershield Stabilising Primer. This is especially important for any shiny or porous surfaces so that your first coat of paint adheres properly to the walls.  If you find your masonry surface is powdery or chalky after you’ve prepared it, this water-based primer will seal any unstable areas. Just brush or roller on and you’ll be good to go. It’s also suitable for your interior walls, too, which is handy. 

DrDulux The Perfect Finish Repair Prime

Tip 3: Choose a protective paint

You’re now ready to paint. By using Weathershield Masonry Paints you’re giving your walls and front of house décor protection from weather damage, as well as mould and algae growth. They’re also made with anti-fade technology for long-lasting colour. Two coats are usually enough, but if you’re painting over a strong shade, you might need a third.

Keep in mind that a rough surface can double the amount of paint you need. Using textured masonry paint tailored to your surface will reduce the number of coats you have to use – Dulux Colour Mixing Weathershield Textured Masonry paint provides even coverage for uneven surfaces. Use Dulux Weathershield Smooth Masonry paint for smooth surfaces, both with 15-year guaranteed all-weather protection.

Remember too that Weathershield Masonry paints are backed by the Weathershield Promise: If your walls peel, flake or there is mould growth within the paint film whilst you live in your home, we will give you your money back. 

DrDulux The Perfect Finish Protective Paint

That’s our top tips for how to paint the outside of your house sorted. But if you’d like some colour theme inspiration, we’ve put together a simple guide to colour matching, too.

“When it comes to painting bare walls, two coats of paint are usually all you’ll need. But remember: if you need to do any repair work, those areas will probably also need an additional layer to make sure you get a quality, seamless finish.” - Matt Gray

Dulux Weathershield Smooth Masonry Teal Front Door

Q: How do I prep my exterior woodwork trim for painting?

A: Now you know how to make sure your masonry will be painted like a pro, let’s make sure your exterior woodwork will be primed and painted perfectly, too. We’ve broken down what you need to do into three easy steps.

Step 1: Prime new or bare wood with Weathershield Exterior Preservative Primer, which will protect your trim against staining fungi and wood rot. For previously painted doors, remove old and flaking paint and sand the surface thoroughly.  To get a smooth and seamless finish, fill any cracks and holes with Polycell Polyfilla before painting.

Pro tip: If your colour choice is much darker or lighter than the original, apply a primer to help your new paint colour adhere better to the surface.

Step 2: Apply up to two coats of Weathershield Exterior Quick Dry Undercoat for wood and metal - a durable formulation that flexes with the wood to resist cracking. Using it on metal? Apply a metal primer first to protect against rust.

Step 3: Now you’re ready to paint. Two coats of Weathershield High Gloss and Quick Dry Stain Paint for wood and metal both contain a weatherproof paint film that is mould resistant and flexible to prevent cracking and minimise staining. 

Dulux Weathershield Exterior Indigo Shade Door

So there you have it, expert guidance from Dr Dulux on how to paint exterior walls and woodwork. It’s a big job, but you can do it!

Find out more about how to keep your home looking its best with Dulux Weathershield here. Or, get more tips on painting a uPVC front door here

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