Exterior Painting

Hello there,

Anyone know anything about exterior painting? I signed a contract with a painting company. About a couple months back they pressured washed my stucco house, but they said it will be several weeks before they can come out and paint. Question: would they not have to pressure wash again? What is involved in pressure washing? And it is starting to be the rainy season now. So what is going on? Will paint work be quality?

Glowpun said:

Hello there,

Anyone know anything about exterior painting? I signed a contract with a painting company. About a couple months back they pressured washed my stucco house, but they said it will be several weeks before they can come out and paint. Question: would they not have to pressure wash again? What is involved in pressure washing? And it is starting to be the rainy season now. So what is going on? Will paint work be quality?

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Paint + rain = BAD. If they PWed your house and haven't painted it in weeks, then at least they'll have to wash it off again. Personally, I'd be on the phone with another painting co. and ask them about your situation. Most contractors are pretty open to giving advice in these kind of situations. Then take that advice and call the co. you contracted with and, if there is a problem with the work, beat them over the head with it.

Glowpun said:

Hello there,

Anyone know anything about exterior painting? I signed a contract with a painting company. About a couple months back they pressured washed my stucco house, but they said it will be several weeks before they can come out and paint. Question: would they not have to pressure wash again? What is involved in pressure washing? And it is starting to be the rainy season now. So what is going on? Will paint work be quality?

Click to expand...

It was premature to wash your house that far in advance. Also, they have to wait until dry weather before they can paint. They'll have to fill small cracks first, as well. The stucco may need a primer, depending on its condition. Prep is important for a quality paint job. You say it's the "rainy season" so I'm assuming you might be in Florida? Have you paid them anything yet? Is there a clause in your contract that allows you to get out of it? Does it hold them to any time schedule?

It's hard to know what all is going on - but if they have to wash it again - they should not charge you extra. When the weather is good and they paint, just make sure they use a high quality paint. They'll probably go with an elastomeric, which retains a little flexibility on masonry like stucco. Whatever paint they choose, it should have a 100% acrylic base. Those are kind of hard to find but Sherwin Williams makes a couple as does Benjamin Moore. They'll probably spray, but, if, possible, have them back-roll it as well. The spray fills the tiny holes found in stucco, but the back-rolling really makes it adhere well.

It's not the rainy season in Florida, that would be the summertime. Although it is suppose to rain Friday, but that's from a cold front coming this weekend.... brrrrrrrrr upper 60's for the high... yah, it's been a warm fall so far.

Glowpun said:

Hello there,

Anyone know anything about exterior painting? I signed a contract with a painting company. About a couple months back they pressured washed my stucco house, but they said it will be several weeks before they can come out and paint. Question: would they not have to pressure wash again? What is involved in pressure washing? And it is starting to be the rainy season now. So what is going on? Will paint work be quality?

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Wow, they just removed any protection you might have from the coming rains... get a new contractor ASAP!

Glowpun said:

Hello there,

Anyone know anything about exterior painting? I signed a contract with a painting company. About a couple months back they pressured washed my stucco house, but they said it will be several weeks before they can come out and paint. Question: would they not have to pressure wash again? What is involved in pressure washing? And it is starting to be the rainy season now. So what is going on? Will paint work be quality?

Click to expand...

I doubt that a decent painting contarctor would pressure wash more than a day or two before the surface prep and painting begins. Pressure washing often exposes cracks that must be filled ASAP. If you live in a cold climate then water entering those cracks may freeze and cause them to widen consiiderably. Proper prep work is essential to doing a good paint job - I would advise gettng another contractor.

ttwtt78640 said:

I doubt that a decent painting contarctor would pressure wash more than a day or two before the surface prep and painting begins. Pressure washing often exposes cracks that must be filled ASAP. If you live in a cold climate then water entering those cracks may freeze and cause them to widen consiiderably. Proper prep work is essential to doing a good paint job - I would advise gettng another contractor.

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What exactly is pressure washing? I am out here in California, they pressured washed the stucco walls a couple months, but it has been frosty for a few nights. How will this freeze affect the walls of the house after the pressure wash? I was told it will be a few weeks and with el nino coming along I don't believe it is a good time to paint.

Glowpun said:

What exactly is pressure washing? I am out here in California, they pressured washed the stucco walls a couple months, but it has been frosty for a few nights. How will this freeze affect the walls of the house after the pressure wash? I was told it will be a few weeks and with el nino coming along I don't believe it is a good time to paint.

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Pressure washing is simply using high pressure water much like that found in a typical coin operated DYI car wash. It can quickly remove dirt, mold and loose paint. As I said before, water expands as it freezes which can damage masonry if it gets in cracks. Have you already paid that contractor?