Ok homeowners, we just filled you in on the first crucial step towards repainting your house. Repainting your house is such a great home improvement step you can take to improve curb appeal and increase the value of your home. Now, the next step you need to take is the scrape off and remove all that deteriorated paint and then sanding to smooth the surface for the new layers.
Here's one cautionary detail we need to throw in before you get started with this part. If lead is present in your old paint job, which is a strong possibility in homes built before 1978, you need to proceed with caution to protect yourself, your family and the surrounding environment. It is vital to use a properly fitted respirator with special lead (HEPA) filters.
If your paint is lead free, you will still need to wear a mask and put down tarps to catch debris. Now, while it may be easier and tempting to to use a power grinder and sander because scraping by hand is a lengthy process, it still is the least damaging way to remove the old paint. A great tool to use to speed up the process is a heating gun, which will soften the paint.
Now, onto the sanding process. At this point, a lot of the paint will already be removed. But much may still remain. If the remaining paint is still well adhered and not too bumpy, you can most likely smooth it with 50 or 80 grit sandpaper. Pad sanders are a great tool to use here as they will make the job go faster. For any areas that need more detail, you can follow up with a 100 or 120 grit sandpaper.
If less than half the old paint is left when you are done scraping, it may be better to strip it all off using an infrared paint stripper or a chemical stripper and then smooth the wood with a bit of sanding.
Make sure, even if your old paint is lead-free to take heed here. Wear a respirator with a HEPA filter to protect yourself. Lay out tarps, remove all plants that you can far from the building and make sure your family is not at home.
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