Make your home the prettiest on the block this spring with Wattyl Solagard

Key takeaways

Before you break out the brushes, keep these key points in mind:

• Plan a realistic weekend project by choosing high-impact areas and allowing enough time for preparation, painting and drying.
• Check the condition and material of each surface before you start, as preparation and priming requirements can differ.
• Check the weather and follow the paint manufacturer's application and drying instructions before tackling exterior painting.
• If you suspect existing paint contains lead, don't sand or disturb it until you know how to manage it safely.
• Use the right application tools and appropriate safety equipment for the job.

The perfect first impression

Be honest – you judge a book by its cover. Well it’s no different when it comes to your home’s frontage. First impressions count – the face your dwelling shows the world should look clean, cohesive and inviting, while complementing its surrounds. It acts as a preview to what’s waiting inside.

If your house is looking a little tired, the most simple and cost-effective way to revive it is with a fresh coat of paint. By focusing on high-impact areas like the exterior wall and porch, paired with the front door, windows, trim and fence, you can boost your home’s street appeal in only a weekend.

If you live in a heritage-era home, extra attention to detail can really bring its storied face to life using the right palette. Spring can offer some mild-weather windows to tackle your paint job, but always check the forecast and the paint manufacturer's temperature and application instructions before starting. So park the idea of a drawn-out facelift and opt for a D.I.Y. facial makeover that’s easy on your wallet – and your diary!

Got 48 hours? Stock up on Wattyl Solagard, a self-priming, pre-tinted paint suited to a range of exterior surfaces, add the best application tools to your trolley, and follow this cheat sheet with confidence!

Safety tip: Before starting work, check for lead paint with a chemical test swab if your house was built before 1970. If you suspect or detect lead paint, don't sand or disturb the existing coating until you know how to manage it safely. Always wear the appropriate safety equipment, including safety glasses, gloves and a mask, and follow the instructions for products or equipment you are using.

Pick your palette

Before you reach for a paintbrush, consider which colour scheme will make your trim pop, balance the fascia and respect the nostalgic style of your house, while bringing it into the now. (Remember that heritage overlays vary by council, so check your home’s historical status before committing to a scheme.) Offering a curated range of 20 popular COLORBOND steel colours, along with White, Wattyl Solagard paints won’t lock you into a limited museum-piece palette.

Follow the three-part colour rule:

• Use an off-white or neutral body colour (Wattyl Surfmist) for the main walls and porch knee walls – and any downpipes so they visually disappear.
• Try a complementary trim tone (Wattyl White) for the porch ceiling, archway, lintels, rendered plinth, eave brackets, and window and door detailing.
• Select a contrasting accent colour (Wattyl Deep Ocean) for the front door, porch posts, fascia board and COLORBOND steel side fence.

You’ll streamline the painting process by using a pre-tinted, ready-to-go paint such as Wattyl Solagard. You’ll also save more time by avoiding decision fatigue – and messy sample pots – with Wattyl’s interactive colour visualiser. While you’re online, use a calculator tool to get your paint quantities right so you don’t fall short or overspend on too much paint.

Prep for a perfect result

While you’re purchasing your paint, get all your other project essentials, including an exterior surfaces and rendering brush pack, a rough and textured surfaces roller kit, paint trays, drop sheets, window protective film and a double-sided step ladder.

For a cleaner, smoother surface, clean the walls thoroughly using a stiff brush and surface cleaner to remove all debris. Spot-prime any bare mortar patches with a masonry sealer. Make sure the surface is completely dry and in good repair before painting. Now you’re ready to paint, starting from the top and working your way down to prevent any drips or spills from spoiling your good work on the lower surfaces.

Wattyl Solagard’s self-priming formula means you can skip the priming step on suitable non-metal surfaces, so you’ll be tracking well with time! Choose the low sheen finish to hide any minor surface imperfections. It can be used on masonry, brick, render, weatherboard, timber and steel, including COLORBOND, with preparation and priming requirements depending on the surface.

Take walls from worn to wow

Wattyl Surfmist in low sheen is perfect for the body colour as it has an LRV (light-reflecting value) of 69, which means it effectively reflects light. It’s a calming off-white so your home won’t look too bright or glary from the street – reserve crisp whites for trims. The paint also contains durable acrylic pigments designed to resist UV fading, flaking and peeling.

Offering a 25-year warranty, Wattyl Solagard is designed to protect your home’s exterior for years to come! If you’re painting rendered or exposed brickwork, use a long-nap roller. Check the product instructions for the recommended number of coats and drying times for your surface and conditions.

Pro tip: When choosing an off-white paint, consider going a couple of shades darker because off-whites lighten in natural light.

Go white-on-white for trims

Chalky white finishes add a striking contrast and depth to your warm white walls and deep blue accents. Using a nap roller, apply Wattyl Solagard White in low sheen on your porch ceiling if it’s deeply recessed, shaded or faces south and feels dark as it will bounce natural light back down.

Also apply the same shade on the porch archway – to beckon guests inside – and on other decorative details, including the eave brackets to highlight them. You’ll bring dimension and brightness to the facade by painting the lintels and window sashes white too.

Wattyl Solagard resists mould and mildew so it’s a great choice for the ‘eyes of your house’. Use your last drop of cool white paint on the rendered plinth and you’ll create a welcoming haven with a streamlined silhouette.

Feature your front door

There’s no underestimating the impact a front door can make – it can set the tone for the entire house. It pays to have it repainted to create a focal point, reglazed if the stained-glass lites don’t complement your colour scheme, or replaced altogether where appropriate for the style and heritage requirements of your home.

If your bungalow was fitted with an ornate double-lite Victorian-era door at some point, consider whether a single-lite door featuring a simple floral or geometric motif better suits its architectural style, checking any heritage requirements before making changes. Painting the leaf a deep blue shade adds a sense of weight against the neutral scheme, grounding the entryway. A small splash of bold colour goes a long way!

To avoid visible brushstrokes, use a fine nap gloss roller for the flat surfaces and an angled 50mm brush to get clean, straight lines around details, edges and hardware.

Repeat the same eye-catching accent colour on the porch posts and knee wall caps for a unifying effect. Make sure your classic iron front fence and letterbox are up to scratch too. Use a metal etch and galvanised iron primer first, then a silky off-black paint such as Wattyl Solagard Night Sky in semi-gloss to define the home’s boundary. It won’t compete as an extra tone to your tri-colour scheme and will help keep the attention on the front door.

Observe boundaries

Painting the side fence deep blue is a great way to incorporate this muted accent colour, making foliage and flowers pop with high contrast. As a backdrop to a low-maintenance pebble garden, sparsely planted with drought-loving, silver-leaved native plants, the fence acts a vibrant canvas for a living gallery. It also helps small gardens feel larger by drawing the eye towards the pebbled greenery instead of the boundary.

Wattyl Solagard is available in colours suited to COLORBOND steel, making your colour choice easier. First, prep the fence with a metal etch and galvanised iron primer to help prevent the paint from peeling and chalking prematurely. Then paint it with your accent colour using a 50–75mm angled sash brush for cutting in around the grooves. Now down tools and clean up – and kudos to crushing your weekend painting project right on time!

Get your D.I.Y. painting project started

Got a weekend paint refresh in mind? Head to your local store or explore Wattyl online to find the paints, preparation products and application tools you’ll need.

Frequently asked questions

Can I really refresh my home exterior in a weekend?

Yes, if you keep the scope realistic. Focus on high-impact areas such as a wall, porch, front door, trim or fence, and allow enough time for preparation and drying as well as painting.

Do I need to prime before using Wattyl Solagard?

That depends on the surface. Wattyl Solagard has self-priming properties on suitable non-metal surfaces, while some surfaces need different preparation or priming, so check the product instructions before you start.

How do I know if an exterior surface is ready to paint?

Make sure it's clean, completely dry and in good repair before painting. If the existing coating or surface needs further preparation, deal with that first and follow the directions for the products you're using.

What should I check before changing the exterior of a heritage home?

Check your home's heritage status and any relevant local requirements before committing to a colour scheme or changing architectural features such as a door. Heritage requirements can vary, so it's worth checking before you start.

What weather is best for exterior painting?

Choose conditions that meet the temperature and application requirements for your paint. Check the forecast as well as the product instructions before starting, and allow the recommended drying and recoating time.