How to Freshen Up an Old Frame House

Schedule the painting when the weather is fair. This prevents stopping in the middle of the project due to rainy weather which may destroy your hard work. Choose conditions where the temperature will be above 50 degrees F for about two days after you paint. Check the paint label; some are suitable for temperatures as cool as 35.

Remove any flaking or chipped paint from the exterior of your frame home with a metal paint scraper. The corner of a putty knife is useful in removing old, cracked caulking or chipped paint from around window frames.

Sand the wood frame with a medium grit sandpaper to smooth the surfaces where you scraped off any chipped or flaking paint.

Dust the exterior of your home with a large scrub brush or the bristles of a sturdy broom. This cleans the surface of dust, cobwebs and dirt.

Mix a solution of TSP and water in a sprayer attached to your garden hose. Another option is a garden sprayer. Follow the directions on the bottle of TSP for the ratio of the cleanser to the water. Spray it over the exterior of your home to wash it. Follow up by rinsing the exterior with clean water. Allow the exterior to dry completely.

Smear a patching compound over any holes in the wood exterior. Use a putty knife to apply the compound. Wood putty is necessary to fill cracks in the exterior. Sand the areas with a fine grit sandpaper once it dries. This provides a smooth surface for the paint.

Add fresh caulking in any places where it was removed. Allow the caulking to dry according to the label instructions.

Protect windows and other areas you don't want the paint to splatter on with plastic sheeting. Use painter's tape to attach it.

Apply an exterior primer to your frame home. Do this on window frames and all the exterior woodwork. Use paint rollers for large areas and paintbrushes for the detail work. Wait for the primer to dry completely.

Paint the exterior of your home with quality exterior paint. Use paint rollers and paintbrushes. It is often necessary to apply two or three coats. Allow each one to dry before applying another. Paint the trim work -- such as around window sills and porch posts -- last.