Is it Okay to Do Exterior Painting as a DIY Project? Explaining the Advantages, Disadvantages, and Precautions!

Many people may be considering doing exterior wall painting as a DIY project.

That said,

“Is it really okay to do exterior wall painting as a DIY project?”

Many may feel anxious about this.

In this article, we will explain in detail the advantages and disadvantages of doing exterior wall painting as a DIY project, as well as important points to consider.

 

Can exterior wall painting really be done as a DIY project?

Exterior wall painting can be done as a DIY project if the correct procedures are followed.

However, unless you have experience in exterior wall painting, there is a possibility of making mistakes if someone with no knowledge tries to do it their own way.

Additionally, since work may need to be done at heights, you must be prepared for such risks.

 

What are the advantages of doing exterior wall painting as a DIY project?

Now, let’s take a closer look at the advantages of doing exterior wall painting as a DIY project.

 

Cost savings

By doing exterior wall painting as a DIY project, you can avoid costs such as labor and contractor profits, allowing you to keep the price to a minimum.

When hiring a contractor, not only do you have to pay for the paint, but also for labor, scaffolding, and protective coverings, which can easily add up to over 1 million yen.

By doing it yourself, it is possible to reduce costs by about half compared to hiring a contractor, making it recommended for those who want to keep expenses down at all costs.

 

Freedom to paint as you wish

When you hire a contractor for exterior wall painting, you need to coordinate schedules with them.

During busy seasons, if schedules do not align, the work may not progress as expected.

However, if you do exterior wall painting as a DIY project, you can work at your own pace, which can shorten the duration of the project.

 

No need for meetings with contractors

If you hire a specialized contractor for exterior wall painting, a preliminary meeting is naturally required.

This meeting is crucial for deciding on details, but some people may find such meetings cumbersome.

By doing the work yourself, you can paint while considering the opinions of yourself and your family, thus reducing the time spent in meetings.

 

What are the disadvantages of doing exterior wall painting as a DIY project?

Next, let’s take a closer look at the disadvantages of doing exterior wall painting as a DIY project.

If you don’t keep the following disadvantages in mind, you may regret it after the work is completed, so please read until the end.

 

Higher likelihood of mistakes

As mentioned earlier, if you have experience in exterior wall painting, that’s a different story, but if you have no knowledge or experience, the likelihood of making mistakes is high.

Specifically, this can lead to:

・Color unevenness
・Failure in surface preparation

etc.

 

While minor repairs indoors may be fine as a DIY project, the exterior walls are very visible, and uneven colors can make them look unsightly.

To avoid such issues, if you lack confidence in doing the work yourself, it is advisable to hire a contractor.

 

Potential for neighbor disputes

When performing exterior wall painting as a DIY project, there may be issues with neighbors.

A common case is when paint splatters onto the neighboring house’s exterior wall.

In this situation, not only could you end up in a dispute with your neighbor, but you may also face a claim for damages.

If you hire a contractor, such damages are the contractor’s responsibility, not the client’s. However, if you do it yourself, you are fully responsible for everything, so you need to be prepared for such risks before starting the work.

 

There is also a possibility of injury

Exterior wall painting may require work at heights.

When working at heights, it is necessary to set up scaffolding, but if it is not properly installed, there is a risk of falling.

Additionally, if you are not accustomed to working at heights, fear may prevent you from concentrating on the painting.

If you fall from a height, you could be exposed to life-threatening dangers, so if you want to paint your exterior walls safely, it is recommended to hire a contractor.

If you absolutely want to do the exterior wall painting as a DIY project, make sure to wear a helmet and non-slip shoes while doing so.

 

There may also be unnecessary costs

When watching craftsmen at work, you might think,

“I could probably do that too.”

However, exterior wall painting is much more difficult than it looks.

 

If you attempt the painting as a DIY project and happen to fail, you will need to purchase paint again, which could lead to additional costs in some cases.

 

What are the correct steps for DIY exterior wall painting?

Next, let’s take a detailed look at the correct steps for DIY exterior wall painting.

 

1: Cleaning

Before performing exterior wall painting, you should first clean the exterior walls.

If you paint without cleaning, you will be painting over dust and dirt, which will make it easier for the paint to peel off.

For this reason, it is recommended to carefully clean using a high-pressure washer or similar tools.

This task is, to be frank, quite labor-intensive.

However, if you skip it just because it is labor-intensive, you will regret it after completion, so please do not cut corners.

2: Protection

When performing exterior wall painting, you need to protect:

・Areas you do not want to paint
・Places where you want to avoid paint splatter

Use masking tape, duct tape, and plastic for protection.

The careful execution of this protective work will greatly influence the final result, so just like the cleaning process, let’s make sure to do it meticulously.

3: Substrate Treatment

Even after the protective work is completed, we do not proceed to painting just yet.

Before painting, we must perform substrate treatment to repair any damaged walls.

Specifically, this includes:

・Filling in cracks
・Sanding down cracked areas

These types of tasks will be carried out.

If you cut corners during substrate treatment, the final finish will be unsightly, and it can also accelerate deterioration, so caution is necessary.

 

4: Primer Coat

Now that we have reached this point, we will finally apply the primer coat.

When applying the primer, please start with the finer details and then move on to the larger areas.

This approach will help prevent color unevenness.

5: Intermediate Coat

Once the primer coat has dried, we will proceed to the intermediate coat.
Applying the intermediate coat adds thickness to the paint film, which helps prolong the functionality of the paint.
The same paint used for the top coat will be used for the intermediate coat.

 

6: Top Coat

Once the intermediate coat has dried, we will proceed to the top coat.

The top coat is the final finishing touch, so let’s apply it even more carefully.

If there are any missed spots, they will be immediately noticeable from a distance, and the areas that were missed will deteriorate, so caution is necessary.

 

If You Want a Beautiful Finish, Consider Hiring a Professional

Exterior wall painting can certainly be done as a DIY project.

However, if you choose to do it yourself, there are risks of injury, failure, and potential troubles, making the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

In some cases, DIY work may not go as planned, and you might end up having to hire a contractor after all.

For this reason, if you want to paint efficiently and beautifully, we recommend hiring a contractor with specialized knowledge and skills.

Kakeru Koumuten Co., Ltd. Exterior Wall Painting Examples

 

Conclusion

When considering DIY for exterior wall painting, it is important to thoroughly check not only the advantages but also the disadvantages.

If you have experience with exterior wall painting, that’s one thing, but if you have no knowledge or experience at all, the chances of making mistakes increase significantly. Therefore, if you want to paint safely and beautifully, we strongly recommend hiring a specialized contractor.

If you absolutely want to do it yourself, make sure to understand the risks mentioned this time and proceed with caution while keeping the important points in mind.

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For roofing, guttering, and exterior work and repairs in Kanagawa, contact Kakerukoumuten Co., Ltd..

AAA is a young company with an average age in the early 20s, but our technology is second to none.

One of our greatest strengths is that we can do all of our own scaffolding, roofing, and painting work. In this industry, where work is generally divided, we are able to provide a complete set of services, which saves time and effort in management and reduces costs. Above all, if there is any trouble, we will come to you right away!

We can confidently declare this. We are the youngest and most friendly renovator in Kanagawa!