Introduction
Have you ever noticed a house with a fresh, bright look and wondered how they did it? Often, it’s just a good paint job! If you live in Maitland and have a weatherboard home, you know that painting it can be a bit different than painting a brick house. This guide from Procover Painting will walk you through everything you need to know to get a great, long-lasting paint job. We’ll talk about the best types of paint for our Maitland weather, like why acrylic paint is usually better than oil-based.
We’ll also explain the different levels of shine, from flat to glossy, and which ones work best for weatherboards. Plus, we’ll give you simple tips on preparing your house and applying the paint so it looks perfect. By the end, you’ll know how to choose the right paints and get the best finish for your Maitland weatherboard home, ensuring it looks great for years.
Acrylic or Oil-Based Paints for Weatherboards?
When researching exterior paint, you’ll immediately notice two main types – acrylic and oil-based alkyd. Painters in Maitland typically recommend acrylics for most weatherboard homes because:
- Acrylics allow the wood to expand and contract with weather changes without cracking
- Offer better adhesion and coverage on textured surfaces like wood grain
- Dry faster, allowing multiple coats in a day
- Release less odour and vapours compared to oil-based
Oil-based enamels do have some benefits:
- They provide a smooth, hard finish that resists damage, such as scratches and scuffs.
- They don’t fade or get powdery (chalky) as easily in the sun.
- Even though oil-based paints resist fading, they become very brittle and will crack and peel over time.
For the right sheen, keep reading!
Which Sheen Is Best for Your Maitland Weatherboard House?
Sheen” means how shiny or flat the paint looks when it dries. Painters in Maitland know that the shine of your paint matters for how long it lasts and how it looks.
Here’s a simple look at each type:
- Flat: No shine at all. Great for hiding rough spots on older weatherboards. Over time, the paint can get a powdery, dull look.
- Satin: A little bit shiny. It lasts well and is easy to clean. For a Satin finish, try using Dulux Aquanamel.
- Semi-Gloss: Medium shine, bright colour. Holds up well to rain and cleaning. Great for trim and window frames. For a Semi-Gloss finish, try using Taubmans Sunproof.
- Gloss: Very shiny. Lasts the longest and resists stains. Shows any bumps or flaws.
As you can see, the shinier paints give more protection, while the flatter paints hide problems better.
For weatherboard homes, most painters in Maitland like satin or semi-gloss. They look good and last a long time. The slight shine makes the house look nice without showing every little bump. The intense Australian sun can cause damage to lower-quality paints, so using a good quality Satin or Semi-Gloss will extend the life of your paint job.
Pro Tips to Get Flawless Exterior Painting Results
Choosing the right paint is just the start. Good preparation and painting are just as important. Here are some tips:
- Always wash the weatherboards with a high-pressure hose before painting. Add a mould killer to the water to remove any mould. Let the wood dry completely before you start painting.
- Before painting, make sure to fill any holes and cracks with a good quality exterior filler such as Selleys No More Gaps Exterior. Also, sand any loose paint.
- Use a good quality Australian primer such as Dulux 1 Step Prep, and have the store tint it to match your topcoat. This will cover the wood better.
- Put on two or three coats of good 100% acrylic exterior paint. Cheaper paint might need more coats.
- For large areas, use a good quality roller such as a Monarch roller, and for the trim, use a good quality brush such as a Purdy brush. Don’t keep brushing paint that is already drying.
- Pick days with nice weather to paint. Try to paint when it’s not too hot, not too humid (below 50% if possible; Maitland can have very humid days), and when it’s not going to rain for a few days. This lets the paint dry properly.
- Check for and repair any rotten wood before painting.
Let Procover Painting Make Your Maitland Weatherboard House Shine
As experienced painters in Maitland, Procover Painting has painted lots of weatherboard homes. We know how to get them ready and paint them right so they look great and last a long time.
Our team is fully qualified and uses top-quality acrylic paints made for Australian weather. We make sure every job is done to a high standard.
If you want a free quote to give your Maitland weatherboard home a fresh, new look, get in touch with Procover Painting today!
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Aim for times with relatively mild, dry weather – typically, spring and autumn work well. Schedule at least 2 days of dry weather after painting so the curing paint film won’t be damaged. Keep temperature above 10 degrees.
You can expect to budget between $2,500 to $30,000 for labour and paint materials. Factors like size, paint choice, repairs needed, prep work, height, and accessibility impact the overall job cost. Get a free quote from your local painter to learn specifics for your home.
Not necessarily! While some neighbourhoods have themes, you can express your unique style with exterior colours. For resale value down the road, popular neutral shades are always a safe bet in Maitland.
