Painting your home’s exterior is one of the best ways to boost curb appeal and protect your investment from the elements, but the results you get depend heavily on what happens before the first drop of paint ever hits the wall! That said, skipping or rushing through certain prep steps is the most common reason exterior paint jobs fail prematurely. Whether you’re repainting after several years or touching up a recent coat, here are the most important steps you’ll want to complete first.