DIY Exterior Wall Painting: Common Mistakes to Avoid with Masonry Paint.
Freshening up the exterior of your home can instantly lift its kerb appeal, protect it from the elements, and give you a real sense of pride in your property. Whether you’re sprucing up a tired façade or changing your home’s colour entirely, doing it yourself can be satisfying and cost effective. However, exterior wall painting isn’t just a matter of grabbing a brush and a tin of paint – preparation and timing are everything.
Preparation is Everything
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is underestimating how important prep work is. Without proper preparation, even the best quality masonry paint won’t adhere properly or last long.
Clean and assess the walls
Before painting, it’s vital to clean your exterior walls thoroughly. Moss, dirt, mould, and flaking old paint can all prevent new paint from sticking. Use a stiff brush and a power washer if necessary but allow the walls to dry completely before painting.
Once clean, inspect the walls for cracks or holes. Use a masonry filler to repair these imperfections. Allow the filler to cure fully, then sand it down for a smooth surface. If you skip this step, those flaws will be glaringly obvious once your fresh coat of paint is on.
Choose the right paint
Not all masonry paints are created equal. For a refined, modern look, choose a smooth masonry paint – it offers better coverage and a cleaner finish, especially on rendered or previously painted walls. Textured options can help hide imperfections on older surfaces, but smooth paint tends to be easier to apply evenly and clean.
Don’t forget the primer
Priming is essential, particularly if you’re painting over a porous surface or bare render. A stabilising solution will help seal the wall and give your paint something to grip onto, avoiding patchiness or flaking down the line.
Right Tools, Right Results: Don’t Wing It
Many DIY painters make the mistake of using whatever brush or roller they have to hand, thinking it won’t make much difference. Unfortunately, it does. In fact, using the wrong tools can sabotage your entire project.
Brush or roller? It depends.
For large areas of wall, a long pile masonry roller is ideal – it allows for quicker application and gets into the slight grooves and textures of the wall. Choose a roller with an extension pole to save your back and cover higher areas more safely.
However, a decent quality brush is essential too. Use a wide, angled brush for cutting in around windows, doors, and pipes. A good brush will reduce the risk of drip marks and give you cleaner lines.
Don’t forget the ladders and dust sheets
Make sure you have sturdy ladders – or even better, a scaffold tower for high up areas. Painting from a wobbly step stool is not only unsafe, but it also often leads to rushed, uneven coverage.
Protect your paths and garden with dust sheets. It might seem over cautious, but masonry paint can be notoriously hard to remove from paving, plants, and patios.
Invest in quality
Avoid the temptation to cut corners on tools. A cheap roller may shed fibres into your paint, and a poor-quality brush won’t hold its shape. Spending a little more can save you hours of frustration and a better finish.
Timing Is Key: Weather and Patience Pay Off
Another common mistake is starting the job at the wrong time. Exterior wall painting is not a weekend whim – it’s a job that depends heavily on weather conditions and planning. With the right approach, though, it can be one of the most rewarding and clever ideas for home improvement that you can tackle yourself.
Check the forecast
Masonry paint needs dry conditions to cure properly. Even if it feels dry to the touch after an hour or two, a sudden shower can ruin your work. Aim for several days of dry, mild weather – ideally between 10°C and 20°C – and avoid painting in direct, intense sunlight, which can cause the paint to dry too quickly and crack.
Avoid the extremes
Painting when it’s too cold or damp can stop the paint from adhering, while extreme heat can lead to blistering. Spring and early autumn are usually the best times for this kind of project in the UK.
Give yourself time
Don’t rush the process. You’ll likely need at least two coats, with drying time in between. Rushing from one coat to the next without allowing proper drying time can result in peeling or bubbling.
If you’re covering a dark colour with a lighter one, consider an undercoat or tinting your primer to match. This can save time and improve the overall result.
Painting your home’s exterior can be a wonderfully rewarding DIY task, one that can transform your property’s look and feel for years to come. By preparing thoroughly, using the right tools, and working with the weather rather than against it, you can avoid the most common pitfalls and achieve a truly professional result.
Poppy Watt