Up your Street Appeal Ante with Dulux

In a world where first impressions are everything, the paint work on the exterior of your home can make a huge difference to its overall aesthetic. The good news is, giving your exterior a quick and cost-effective update is easy with a few spare hours. Here are three simple projects that can help freshen up your home's façade.

Front Door Freshen-Up
Whether you want to go bright with a jewelled tone, dramatic with a darker shade, or friendly and welcoming with a warm terracotta tone such as Dulux® Very Terracotta; a fresh coat of paint will elevate the mood and style of your home. To give your door a fresh twist, consider updating it with a new knocker or handle or an elegant letterbox opening.

1: Gather your painting supplies – Dulux Aquanamel® in your chosen colour(s), Dulux 1Step® Prep, drop sheet, high quality synthetic brush for cutting in, 400 grit sandpaper, painter's tape, old cloths.
2: After sanding down the surface, wipe down thoroughly then apply one coat of Dulux 1Step® Prep.
3: Allow 2 hours to dry, then commence painting by cutting in around the edges of the door using Dulux Aquanamel®.
4: Apply Dulux Aquanamel® to the surface using short brush strokes, starting with the inner panels and working your way out.
5: Once you've completed an area, while the paint is still wet, lightly smooth over the painted section with long brush strokes – but, don't overdo or reload the brush – a few brush strokes will smooth the surface.
6: Allow 2 hours to dry, then give the surface a light sand with 400 grit sandpaper.
7: Repeat steps 4 and 5 for the second and final coat.

Window Frames and Trims
Giving your window frames and trim a fresh coat of paint requires minimum effort but provides maximum impact in consolidating the look of your home against the front door, foliage, outdoor furniture and the front fence.

1: Gather your painting supplies – Dulux Aquanamel® in your chosen colour(s), Dulux 1Step® Prep, drop sheet, high quality synthetic brush and paint pot, 400 grit sandpaper, painter's tape, old cloths, Selleys Original Sugar Soap and a flat paddle stirrer.
2: As windows can get particularly dirty, thoroughly clean the surface using Selleys Original Sugar Soap. Sand down the surface and wipe with a damp cloth.
3: Mask the wall around the frame(s), then apply one coat of Dulux 1Step® Prep.
4: Once dry, apply Dulux Aquanamel® to the surface using short, horizontal brush strokes.
5: Once you've completed an area, while the paint is still wet, lightly smooth over the painted section with long brush strokes – but, don't overdo or reload the brush – a few brush strokes will smooth the surface.
6: Allow 2 hours to dry, then give the surface a light sand with 400 grit sandpaper.
7: Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the second coat.

Front Fence
Outdoor fences can be easily forgotten when the house updates begin, but can make a big impact on street appeal. Choose a colour that is either the same or complementary with your trims to give it a cohesive look and feel, such as Dulux® Dieskau or Oolong.

1: Gather your painting supplies – Dulux Weathershield® in your chosen sheen and colour, a drop sheet, a flat paddle stirrer, wide paint brush, roller and tray, sanding block, painter's tape and old cloths.
2: To help protect surrounding surfaces from over spray, tie back plants, remove any bikes and cars, brush away any existing dirt from the fence and use drop sheets.
3: To ensure you achieve the best results possible, use a brush or sand to remove imperfections and peeling paint on older fences and an antimoss solution to combat mould, if required.
4: Open and stir your paint thoroughly, then using a brush begin painting the boards that run along the bottom of your fence.
5: Paint the valleys between the pickets where your roller can't reach. Then, use a roller in a vertical up and down motion to paint the vertical panels.
6: After you've finished painting the first coat, wait 2 hours before recoating using the same process. A third coat will need to be applied if the surface is bare timber.

Dulux Colour Expert, Andrea Lucena-Orr says that a fresh coat of paint on your doors, windows and fences can be everything your home needs to give it a new lease of life. "This shouldn't be seen as a mundane task – quite the opposite.

You can have some real fun here without breaking the bank, giving your whole home's aesthetic a completely new feel. These fresh updates are an excellent way to move from one season to the next."

Dulux Weathershield®
Tested for over 40 years in Australian conditions, Dulux Weathershield® will protect your home for as long as you live there. Protection from all Australian weather conditions, Dulux Weathershield® helps prevent UV damage and resist mould and stains.

Dulux Aquanamel®
A water-based interior and exterior acrylic enamel, Dulux Aquanamel® doesn't yellow over time, is fast-drying, low odour and achieves an ultra-smooth and tough finish that resists chipping.