​Many people, especially amateurs trying to do things themselves, do not really consider the importance of power washing their surfaces before painting and this is mostly because most of the tutorials they follow online do not specify the essence of power washing. The truth is, it is a very essential aspect of preparing your exterior surfaces before painting. One major reason why it is very important to clean your home’s exterior before painting. It is that a clean exterior means that your paint project will last longer. Basically, painting dirty exteriors shorten the lifespan of your paint job and should not be considered. 

​Why Power washing?
Truth be told, power washing isn’t always the best way to get dirt off your exterior. But it definitely is the easiest way and with power washing, you can reach areas that hand washing cannot reach. This is why it is much advisable to use power or pressure washing. With this type of washing, you can force really tough stains off the sides of your exterior and really reduce the amount of dirt on it generally. So, for most, hand washing is the most effective, but it is incredibly burdensome and tiring and should only be considered in the absence of power washing.
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​Essential Tools for Power Washing
Most power washers come in gas or electric powered models but since you have to treat your exterior gently, you may not need a high-power gas washer; thus, an electric washer would suffice. If you are washing a two-story house, a high-volume gas power washer with a special nozzle attached would be efficient for cleaning the upper areas of the house without having to climb ladders or any such platforms. When choosing a cleaning solution, choose something that is made for power washers and one made for cleaning home exteriors. Do not use bleach or solutions made from bleach as they may damage your power washer or kill your plants if improperly applied.

Washing the Exterior
When washing the exterior, remember that the whole point of using the power washer is to wash it not to strip it of old paint. Most power washers have the strength and capacity to take off paint, but it is advisable to take on stripping with a scraper and sandpaper and, if need be, with a heat gun. So, it would be wise to avoid removing the paint with the power washer.
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Three Steps to Washing the Exterior of Your Home
First, you have to knock off the big gunk with plain water. This is and should be done before adding the cleaning solution. Here, the goal is to remove all visibly big gunk like insect nests, leaves and molds that have formed on your siding. Next step would be to clean the siding surface with a solution. This step should be completed when the siding is not in direct sunlight. To do this, fill up the power washer’s tank with the cleaning solution and spray the siding with the solution mixed water, working from top to bottom. The last step is a fresh water spray without any solution.

​Power Washing Results
The benefits with power washing are numerous. Just the adhesion aspect of your primers and finish coats alone are reason to always take this preparatory step. Your exterior paint finishes will last a lot longer. Furthermore, while doing the surfaces to be painted you can always freshen up the surrounding areas. This help give your fresh new paint job the “pop” it deserves.

​If your kitchen is just like most, you will understand that your cabinets take up the most visible space. This means that your cabinets can transform your kitchen's looks when they are in good shape – and painting them is the best way to transform your kitchen cabinets. You too can enjoy the luster and gleam from painting your kitchen cabinets!

​Well, many people will consider changing their cabinets entirely, but that is a pricey undertaking. Take, for example, painting your walls can easily give your walls a fresh look, in the same way painting your cabinets can make your kitchen feel new, and add beauty and style to the cabinets and whole kitchen. 

​Painting your cabinets is a budget-friendly choice, but you should also note that it’s not as easy as you might think, and this is why we have listed some tips on how to paint your kitchen cabinets like a professional.

•    Select Primer
The first thing you need to do before you start to paint your cabinets is to choose a primer and tint it towards the color of the top coat. Doing this will help you prevent dark or stained surfaces from appearing through the top coat. However, make sure you consult an expert to choose a paint that is suitable or appropriate for the wood, metal, or any other surface you might be working on.
•    Select Paint
The best paint to choose for you to paint your cabinets is either acrylic enamel paint or alkyd paint. Stay away from lacquers, they are harder to work with for the inexperienced. Whichever type of paint you plan on using, make sure you buy the best-quality kitchen cupboard paint you can afford. You get what you pay for concerning cabinet paint and even when home painting in general.
•    Remove Hardware
Another good tip to keep in mind before you start painting is to make sure that you remove or uninstall all hardware from your cabinets like the door handles, hinges and drawers. Without doing this, paining over hardware like hinges and handles can affect the way the door functions. Before you start to DIY your kitchen cabinets, remove from the drawers, etc. Painting over hinges and handles affects the overall quality. Depending on the type of hinges your cabinets have, it is advisable that you find a way to label your cabinet doors where they should be reinstalled.
•    Test Paint and Prime
Before you start painting, lay down a drop cloth to catch any drips and protect your floor from paint. Use a high-density foam roller or a paintbrush to apply the paint. The best way to start is to spray, roll or brush your cabinets with one paint coat and let it dry completely before you apply the second coat. Avoid over applying each coat, several coats are better. Remember, cabinet paint tends to level out as it dries.
•    Reattach Doors and Drawers
Once your paint has dried, then it’s time to reattach your drawer pulls, screw and hang the doors back on the cabinetry boxes. This Is why we advised you label them, making it easy to attach them accurately. Slide each drawer back in place but most importantly make sure they are all dry and mostly cured before reattaching. Just because the finish is “dry” to the touch, doesn’t mean it will be cured and marring may occur.

​Finally, restock and organize your fresh like new cabinets and drawers. Create new organizing system to add to the functionality. Now your ready to enjoy your cabinets for many years to come!