How to Paint the Outside of a Daycare

Spend a bit more money on the preparation work before you paint the outside of a daycare and you will save time and money on future repair work. The finished product is only as good as you make it when it comes to exterior painting, and the surface preparation is the key to success. Replace rotted areas and pressure wash the daycare. Paint will not adhere to a dirty surface. Scrape away all peeling paint, fill cracks with caulk and prime the exterior. Use top quality primers and paints to ensure a long-lasting paint finish.

Protective eyewear
Respirator
Pressure washer
Scraper
Sanding block
Exterior caulk
Caulking gun
Fascia boards
Hammer
Nails
Masking tape
Painter's plastic
Drop cloths
Stain blocker primer
Paint thinner
Paint
Paint sprayer

Instructions

- 1
  
  A clean surface is vital.
  
  Pressure wash the exterior of the daycare. Allow the surface to dry.
- 2
  
  Small hand scrapers are easy to use.
  
  Remove all peeling paint using a scraper. Sand the area with a sanding block to smooth rough spots.
- 3
  
  Damaged wood retains moisture.
  
  Replace damaged fascia boards with new, pressure treated lumber.
- 4
  
  Seal cracks to repel moisture.
  
  Apply a bead of exterior caulk to all cracks and crevices using a caulking gun.
- 5
  
  Protect surfaces with drop cloths.
  
  Cover all areas that you do not want painted. Use masking tape to secure painter's plastic over windows, brick, doors and handrails. Cover sidewalks, bushes and flowers with drop cloths. Tape water faucets, electrical boxes, etc.
- 6
  Fill the sprayer with primer. Begin at the top of the daycare and work down to apply a coat of primer. Hold the sprayer gun approximately one foot away from the surface. Use back and forth sweeping motions and overlapping strokes. Allow the primer to dry for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer. Apply a second coat of primer.
- 7
  Clean the spray gun and hose to remove the primer. Use soapy water if latex primer was used or paint thinner for alkyd primer.
- 8
  
  Patience yields quality work.
  
  Fill the sprayer with paint. Repeat step 6 to apply two coats of paint to the daycare.

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