There are few home improvement projects as exciting as exterior painting. However, it’s also a project that can raise a few questions for homeowners. Even if you’ve figured out your color scheme already and put together a loose timeline, you still might have concerns over some of the smaller things – such as how many coats of paint your project will need. Believe it or not, too many coats can lead to issues that affect your results! Here’s what you need to know.
How Many Coats of Exterior Paint Will I Need?
For the majority of exterior house painting projects, two coats of paint are preferred. Sometimes a 2-in-1 primer might be able to do the trick, but brand-new homes and homes being repainted greatly benefit from having a second coat. The primary advantages of using two coats of paint include:
- A second coat can hide any painting errors made during the first round.
- If you’ve properly cleaned and repaired your walls, the second coat of paint should adhere nicely – any further coats may not lay flush or look natural.
- Using two coats is considered cost-effective; not only is it a negligible cost to add a second coat of paint, but you’re ensuring that your paint job is set up for long-term success.
Are There Any Benefits to Using Three Coats of Paint?
One of your first inclinations might be that more paint means a better-looking paint job, but this simply isn’t true – when it comes to exterior painting, it’s about quality, not quantity. You will not need to use three coats of paint to complete your project – the only time when you might need a third coat is if you’re painting a wall that has been repaired or plastered, or if you’re transitioning from dark to light paint. In these cases, or if you’re unsure, ask a professional painter for insight.
However, you should rarely expect to need more than two coats. As you add more and more paint to your walls, you’re adding additional weight that can cause structural damage. Plus, in most cases, a third coat isn’t going to look much different compared to walls with only two coats – meaning the excess paint would simply be a waste of effort and money.
If you still have doubts, you shouldn’t hesitate to consult with a team of professional painters; they know best when it comes to how much paint is needed and how many coats will serve your home well. They’re also more than happy to handle things themselves, ensuring that each coat is applied properly and expertly!
About Platinum Painting of Fort Worth
Our team here at Platinum Painting has served the painting needs of homeowners in Fort Worth and the surrounding DFW metroplex for over 15 years, offering a wide range of interior and exterior painting services for both residential and commercial projects. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up a FREE in-home estimate, you can call us today or visit our website for more information or assistance. Telephone: (817) 380-4404.