• Jenna and Josh took The Block by storm.

AS we head towards the end of summer, it’s a great time to give the outside of your home a good lick of paint. 

The weather is slightly cooler for working and fresh paint gives your outdoor area protection from the upcoming wetter months. 

Here are some top painting tips from two-time Block contestants “Josh and Jenna”, who know a thing or two about DIY. 

What project? 

“If you are wanting to add instant impact to your outdoor space and have a couple of days to spare, painting your font fence is the ideal project,” Josh says. 

“A front fence is usually the first thing people see when they arrive at your home, so adding a fresh coat of paint will give your property a new lease on life” 

For those with less time on their hands or who would prefer a smaller project to get started on their DIY journey, there are a range of projects available. 

“From upcycling an outdoor chair to painting your front door, there are plenty of simple outdoor painting projects that can be completed in a short amount of time. These projects are great to tackle during a summer afternoon at home,” Jenna added. 

Prep 

“Paint won’t stick to dirty or rough surfaces, so always be sure to start any project by giving your piece a good clean with water and sugar soap,” Josh explained. 

“Once your piece is fully dry, you may also need to sand it depending on its quality. Sanding will help you to achieve a flawless finish and reduce the risk of any streaks on your finished piece.”. 

If you’re painting a metal surface that has become rusty in some areas, such as a garage door, remove all the rust with a tool like a sander or drill prior to applying your paint. 

Paint 

“When painting large surfaces outdoors, you’ll want to make sure that you pick a day when the weather will allow for you to complete the entire project,” Josh said. “Summer makes for the perfect time to refresh your outdoor space as the weather is warm and dry and will allow for the paint to stick well to your surface and dry quickly,” “Because British Paints 4 Seasons is self-priming on most surfaces you can save time and get stuck into applying your colour to the surface straight away,” Jenna adds. For walls, doors and fences, it is best to start at the top and work your way down, as you will be working with gravity rather than against it. For those smaller, harder to reach places, little brushes and rollers are the best tools to use to apply your paint.