How to Make Your Home a "Prettiest Painted Place"

That attribute is beautiful paint, according to the Paint Quality Institute, a leading authority on paint and sponsor of the Prettiest Painted Places in America competition. This year's nine winners all used top quality exterior paint to set their communities apart from more than 120 other nominees in the competition. The winners -- Cape May, NJ; Warrenton, VA; Norwich, CT; Lake Charles, LA; Decorah, IA; Marshall, MI; Telluride, CO; Exeter, CA; and Eureka, CA -- varied in architecture and color schemes. But all have an abundance of nicely painted homes and commercial structures that set a good example for other neighborhoods -- and individual home and building owners. 

If you want to follow the example set by these communities, here is some advice on creating your own "prettiest painted place".

First, decide on a color scheme. Take a look at your house and others nearby. Is it a classic Victorian? If so, consider using three or more colors to really show off its architectural highlights. A more traditional Colonial? Choose muted earthy colors, or a fresh-looking, bright white. Consult a salesperson at your favorite paint or hardware store, decorating center or home center for advice, or visit the PQI Web site at www.paintquality.com/press to view photos of the Prettiest Painted Places in America for ideas. 

Once you have settled on a color scheme, you're ready to take the first steps toward your new paint job. 

Before painting, be sure to adequately prepare the surface. Scrape, sand or use a wire brush to remove loose, flaking or peeling paint. Spot-prime bare wood and sand glossy areas. Make sure the surface is clean, sound and free of dirt. Power washing with plain water is the most effective way to rid large exterior surfaces of dirt and chalk, but you can also use soapy water and a scrub brush to clean your home's exterior. If you see mildew, remove it with a solution of three parts water and one part household bleach. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection. After using any cleaning solution on your home, rinse it with clean water. 

Next, be sure to purchase the right paint for the job. Don't skimp on quality -- the better grades of paint may be more costly, but they are also the better value. In most cases, your best bet is a top quality 100% acrylic latex exterior paint. These paints are more durable and last longer than ordinary paint, often up to 10 years or more. That's because top quality paint has superior adhesion, making it less likely to blister, flake or peel on a properly prepared surface. 

There are a few instances when latex paint is not the best choice. If you're painting over more than three or four coats of old, oil-based paint, then another coat of oil-based paint is recommended. Also, oil-based paints adhere better to surfaces that are very chalky. 

When applying the paint, use top quality tools. Good brushes and rollers are easier to use and help make the job go faster, than economy tools. Top quality tools also apply a thicker, more uniform coat of paint that will look better and be less likely to fail prematurely. If you're using latex paint, brushes and rollers made of synthetic materials, such as nylon or polyester bristles, are the best choice. They hold their shape and maintain the proper stiffness regardless of how much water they are exposed to. When working with oil-based paints, brushes or rollers made of natural or synthetic material work well. 

The final consideration when doing exterior painting is the weather. Ideal conditions are temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees F, when there is little or no wind. It's best to avoid painting in direct sunshine, because intense heat can cause the water in a latex paint to quickly evaporate before the paint binder particles can completely form into a continuous, durable film. Consult the label on the paint container for more specific instructions. 

If you still have paint-related questions, visit the Paint Quality Institute Web site at www.paintquality.com. 

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