Wood siding can look wonderful when it is maintained.  Over time the elements can wreak havoc on wood sidings’ paint job.  A good coat of paint can give a nice quick updated look to a home’s exterior. 

An exterior paint job can not only enhance your home’s look but can also protect it from expensive repairs in the long run.  Here are steps to take when you paint wood siding.

1. Evaluate

Before you go and paint your home, you need to examine the entire exterior surface of the house.  Look for peeling paint, open joints or seams, wet or rotted woods and mildew. All of these problems must be fixed first before you can repaint.

If paint is flaking, this is more than likely due to moisture that has collected under the painted surface.  When moisture seeps in through the unpainted surface, it will bubble once the moisture is absorbed and dried.   When the wood gets wet then dries, it swells then shrinks making the paint pull away from the surface.

2. Remove Loose Paint

First before you start to scrap away, cover the ground with drop cloths to catch the paint chips.  In order to chip away the pain, use a paint scraper and then sand the surface. You want to make sure to smooth the edges between the painted and scraped areas.  This process is called feathering and will give your paint job a nice smooth finish.

3. Prepare and Prime the Wood

This is so important!  You can fix any small issues in the wood with exterior spackling compound and for bigger areas, you can use a two-part polyester resin filler.   Once the filler has dried, you need to sand the filler to make sure it is smooth and flush with the wood.  If there is moisture around the siding, trim, window frames or doors take a screwdriver and remove the caulk from the joints and cracks.  Clean the joints with a stiff brush and let the moisture dry out completely before recaulking with a paintable caulk. Even if all the wood looks fine and does not need any repairs, you should clean and wash the exterior before painting.

4. Paint

When it is time to paint, use a brush, roller or spray applicator.  You will want to start at the top and work your way down painting the walls first then the trim. Do not paint in direct sunlight and always read the manufacturer’s instructions about weather, temperature and damp surfaces.  Apply paint evenly and remember that a rough surface absorbs more paint than smooth ones.

Once your paint project is dried, just put up your light fixtures, hardware and shutters.  Congrats! Your home now has wood siding that has a fresh look!