Exterior Painting: Do You Know Your DIY Do's and Don'ts?
Written by Elizabeth T DIY Expert
Last updated · 3 min play time
When done properly, an exterior paint job can magically transform your house into the nicest one on the block. Done poorly, it can fail in just a few years, leaving you with chipped paint and potential damage on your hands. Are you ready to take on the challenge of painting your house on your own?
Quiz written by
Elizabeth TExterior Painting Quiz Questions
30 Questions · 14.5K Plays · 1 Comment
Question 1
What is this? [PHOTO]
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AA paint stirrer
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BA caulk remover
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CA roller cleaner
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DA pump jack
A paint stirrer
When mixing large buckets of paint, use a paint stirring attachment on your drill for quick, thorough results.
Question 2
What is this? [PHOTO]
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AA trim brush
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BA power washer attachment
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CA paint scraper
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DA brush and roller cleaner
A brush and roller cleaner
A brush and roller cleaner will help get every last bit of paint off of your tools so they last longer.
Question 3
What is this? [PHOTO]
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AA paint key
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BA paint stirrer
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CA roller cleaner
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DA detail scraper
A paint key
A paint key is a tool designed specifically for opening paint cans without bending the lids.
Question 4
What is this? [PHOTO]
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AA mini vacuum cleaner
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BA dust collector
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CA heat gun
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DA trim sprayer
A heat gun
A heat gun can help loosen old layers of paint to make them easier to scrape off by hand.
Question 5
Which type of paint is slowest to dry?
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AVinyl
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BLatex
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COil
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DAcrylic
Oil
Oil paints are slow to dry, typically requiring 8 to 24 hours between coats.
Question 6
What is this? [PHOTO]
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AA unidirectional sander
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BA paint key
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CA putty knife
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DA manual paint scraper
A manual paint scraper
A manual paint scraper is the slowest but least damaging way to remove paint from exterior siding.
Question 7
Where should you start painting?
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AAt the highest point, working your way down
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BOn the east side of the house, working counterclockwise
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COn the west side of the house, working clockwise
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DAt the lowest point, working your way up
At the highest point, working your way down
Start painting at the highest point and work your way down. This will allow you to go over any drips as you work and keep you from smudging paint that hasn't fully dried.
Question 8
In what direction should you scrape paint?
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AIn a circular pattern
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BAgainst the grain of the wood
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CWith the grain of the wood
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DBack and forth
With the grain of the wood
To protect siding and shingles, it's best to scrape paint in the direction of the wood's natural grain whenever possible.
Question 9
What is this? [PHOTO]
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AA ladder stabilizer
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BA power washer extension
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CAn angled paint scraper
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DA multi-use paint stirrer
A ladder stabilizer
A ladder stabilizer attaches to an extension ladder to help keep you safe.
Question 10
What's the best brush for painting trimwork?
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AAn angled sash brush
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BA square brush with synthetic bristles
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CA feather finisher
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DA square brush with natural bristles
An angled sash brush
An angled sash brush makes it easier to make precise strokes. It's perfect for painting windows and trim, especially if you'd like to skip the masking tape.
Question 11
What is this? [PHOTO]
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AAn orbital sander
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BA Paintshaver Pro
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CA circular saw
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DA power washer
A Paintshaver Pro
A Paintshaver Pro is a motorized paint scraper with a dust collection system attached to corral paint chips. This is especially useful for lead paint.
Question 12
When should you caulk gaps between the trim and siding?
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AAfter priming
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BBefore priming
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CBefore scraping
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DAfter the final coat
Before priming
Caulk doesn't last forever, so be sure to prime wood first so it's protected from the weather. Then caulk to fill gaps for a smooth canvas upon which to add color.
Question 13
What's the best primer for brick?
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AOil primer
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BLatex primer
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CAcrylic masonry primer
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DBrick doesn't need to be primed
Acrylic masonry primer
Acrylic masonry primer offers flexibility to get into every nook and cranny of brick and mortar.
Question 14
Do you have to remove all old paint?
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AYes, a clean slate is crucial
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BOnly if it's darker than the new color
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CNo, just paint over it
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DOnly if it's failing
Only if it's failing
When prepping your siding for paint, scrape away all paint that is bubbled, cracked or otherwise poorly adhered so new paint will form a tight bond.
Question 15
What is elastomeric paint?
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AUltra high gloss paint
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BPaint that dries to a super hard shell
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CFlexible paint with additional solids
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DRubberized paint for electrical applications
Flexible paint with additional solids
Elastomeric paint has additional solids that allow it to be highly flexible once it dries. It's often recommended for masonry and stucco.
Question 16
What's the best way to paint stucco?
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ASpray and roll
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BRoll only
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CSpray and brush
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DBrush only
Spray and roll
To get an even coating over textured stucco, one person should spray paint, while the other follows behind with the roller to even it out and ensure all textured bits are covered.
Question 17
How should you protect foundation plants before painting?
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AWith a fabric drop cloth
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BWith a tarp
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CWith a vegetable oil spray
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DWith plastic sheeting
With a fabric drop cloth
Plants should be misted and gently covered with fabric like burlap or canvas drop cloths so they can still breathe and stay cool.
Question 18
How can you prevent color variations in your paint?
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AModern paints don't have color discrepancies
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BBuy all your paint from the same store
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CMix individual cans of the same color in a large bucket to even out discrepancies
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DBuy all your paint at the same time
Mix individual cans of the same color in a large bucket to even out discrepancies
Tiny variations in color can occur in each can. Buy a five gallon bucket and mix all the paint together to eliminate this problem.
Question 19
What are VOCs?
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AVanishing oil coatings
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BVarnish-based oil colors
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CViolet organic colors
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DVolatile organic compounds
Volatile organic compounds
Volatile organic compoounds are chemicals in paint fumes that can cause nausea, illness and more. Today's paints are available in low VOC formulations to avoid these issues and help protect the environment.
Question 20
What is TSP?
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ATrisilicone phosphate
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BTriple spray protection
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CTimed silicone patches
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DTrisodium phosphate
Trisodium phosphate
Trisodium phosphate is used while washing both interior and exterior walls to remove grease and create a better surface for paint to adhere to.
Question 21
What is this? [PHOTO]
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AA ladder stabilizer
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BA pump jack
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CA pigment mixer
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DA paint can holder
A pump jack
Pump jacks are used to raise and lower a scaffolding platform. This can be more convenient than a ladder because you don't have to move up and down as often.
Question 22
What color exterior is best for resale value?
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AGray
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BYellow
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CWhite
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DBlue
Gray
Accoridng to a study by Zillow, gray or "greige" exteriors bring an extra $1,500 at resale and do better than any other house color.
Question 23
What's the lowest temperature at which you can use oil paint?
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A60 degrees
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B50 degrees
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C30 degrees
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D40 degrees
50 degrees
Oil-based paints and primers should be used when air temperatures are 50 degrees or higher for best adhesion.
Question 24
What sheen should you use on siding?
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AMatte
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BSemigloss
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CSatin
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DHigh gloss
Satin
Matte paints are hard to clean, but glossy paints highlight imperfections in the wood. Satin paints are a good compromise for siding since they offer a bit of sheen without being too highly reflective.
Question 25
Why should you keep a hammer and nail in your paint kit?
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ATo remove old caulk
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BTo attach your ladder to the siding
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CTo tack up plastic sheeting
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DTo keep paint cans neat
To keep paint cans neat
Use a hammer and nail to poke several holes in the rim of your paint can so paint runs back down into the can instead of collecting in the rim, where it will make replacing the lid difficult.
Question 26
What is blocking?
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AWhen a paint sprayer becomes clogged
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BWhen painters mask off large portions of a house
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CWhen two painted surfaces stick together
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DWhen a power washer suddenly loses pressure
When two painted surfaces stick together
Blocking is a term used when two painted surfaces stick together, such as the edge of a door and the trim molding or a window sash and sill.
Question 27
What kind of caulk should you avoid for exteriors?
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AAcrylic Latex
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BSilicone
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CAcrylic
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DPolyurethane
Silicone
Paint won't stick to pure silicone caulk, so this is a bad choice for exterior painting.
Question 28
What grit sandpaper should you use after scraping exterior paint?
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A300 grit
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B50 grit
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C200 grit
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D100 grit
50 grit
To smooth the bumps between raw wood and leftover paint that still adheres well, use 50- to 80-grit sandpaper.
Question 29
What should you do with exposed nail heads and screws before painting?
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ARemove them
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BIgnore them
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CSpray them with metal primer
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DUse a nail set to tap them below the surface
Spray them with metal primer
Exposed nails and screws may rust in the rain and stain your new paint job. Coat them with metal primer to avoid this.
Question 30
When should you use gray primer?
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AWhen it's on sale
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BWhen painting over a dark color
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CWhen the manufacturer recommends it
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DWhen using a dark colored topcoat
When the manufacturer recommends it
Many new paints are designed to be used with gray primers to achieve the color on the paint chip. Check with the manufacturer's recommendation for best results.
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very informational