Spring is the best time of year for paint maintenance, especially exterior paint. In winter, the weather can be too cold to apply paint safely, while in summer, the weather is too hot to be comfortable. This makes now the perfect time to apply touch up paint – provided that you can find a dry stretch of time to inspect and apply a fresh coat.
Get your building ready for spring by practicing smart paint maintenance tips. You can maintain the value of your property, attract more customers and boost your business’ reputation. After all, the paint is the first thing that your customers and employees see when they arrive at your building, inside and out. Here’s what you need to know.
Paint Maintenance Needs Clean Walls
Start by cleaning the walls of your building: inside and out. Paint can get dirty over time, and if the paint isn’t cleaned periodically, removing the dirt can get harder and harder to do. Cleaning the walls is also a good way to check the condition of your paint job and decide whether it’s time to refresh your paint.
To clean the exterior walls of your building: wait for a day when the temperature is moderate. Slightly overcast (but not rainy) days are best for cleaning walls.
- Spray the walls of your building with a jet of water. If your walls are not that dirty, this may clean them sufficiently. If not, move on to the next step.
- Lather the walls with a sponge or scrub brush dampened with mildly soapy water.
- Spray the walls again with a jet of water from a hose, to rinse. If the walls are still dirty following this process, use oxygen bleach mixed with water.
To clean the interior walls of your building: use a damp melamine foam cleaning sponge to clean the walls inside your building.
Inspect for Problems
As you’re cleaning the walls of your building, inspect the building for problems.
- Bubbling, peeling. Bubbling and peeling paint could be a sign of a moisture problem happening under the walls. Check for leaks before reapplying paint.
- Mold and mildew. Mold and mildew can permanently stain paint if it’s not cleaned off periodically. Look for mold and mildew in areas that rarely see sunlight. For example, you may find mold growing on parts of the building that are hidden by shrubs, where lack of airflow keeps the side of the building moist and perfect for mold growth.
- Chipping. Chipping can happen in high-traffic areas that are often touched. Chipping can be a sign that your building’s paint job is just getting old. You can fix this problem by either touching up the paint, or repainting entirely.
- Fading. Fading happens when you use poor quality paint. Work with your painting contractor to use good quality paint the next time you repaint your home.
Touch Up Areas in Need of Paint Maintenance
When the paint on your walls is beginning to look its age, but is not yet in need of a whole new coat, touch up paint may help. Below are the steps for applying touch up paint.
Match the paint. Hopefully you have leftover paint in your building’s storage, or know what shade and brand of paint you used to paint your building. However, if you don’t know how to get your hands on the right color, any paint store should be able to match the color from a chip, if it is large enough. Find out from your local paint store what paint chip size they require to get an accurate match.
Wait for the right conditions. If you’re touching up exterior paint, wait for the right temperature. Avoid painting on days that are forecast to be wet. Know the cure time for the paint that you’re applying, and ensure that the paint you’re using will have enough time to cure before the next rainfall.
Sand down the area to be painted. Sanding down the paint will help the new paint adhere to the wall.
Clean. Clean the area to be touched up, and allow it to dry fully before applying touch up paint.
Apply a test. Apply paint to an inconspicuous area on the building to see if it truly matches. Allow it to dry before deciding whether you’ve got the right shade.
Prime the area. Apply primer to the wall. Allow it to dry fully before applying the paint.
Apply the paint. Apply the paint to the wall, only in the area that needs the touch up paint. Allow the paint to dry, then apply another coat if needed. Finally, allow the paint to cure.
Repaint If Needed
During the inspection of your building, you may notice many areas that are fading, peeling, bubbling or chipping. If this is the case, it may be time to repaint. There’s only so much to be gained from touching up your paint. If this is the case, contact a professional painting contractor.
Need Help With Paint Maintenance? Contact the Experts
At Armadillo Painting, we help business owners maintain their property through proper paint maintenance tips. We can help you touch up or replace the paint on your walls, whether inside or out. Contact us for commercial painting services in Tukwila, WA.
