How to Paint Exterior Siding Materials

Painting the exterior of your home is a large task, which is why many people will hire contractors to take care of the job for them. But it’s not an impossible task for an avid do-it-yourselfer.

The Complexity of Exterior Painting

Most people find that painting interior walls is an easy task. In most cases, you simply choose a color and get to work (minor repairs aside). That’s because drywall is easy to paint over, and you don’t have to worry about any exterior conditions. When painting the siding of your home, you have to take a few variable into consideration:

  1. The type of siding you have (vinyl, wood, stucco, brick, etc.)
  2. Average weather conditions (rain, snow, ice, etc.)
  3. How much sunlight hits your home
  4. How much maintenance you want to keep up with

Most siding option can be painted over if you follow these tips:

Wait for the Right Weather

Wait for a relatively cloudy day with temperatures between 50 and 85 degrees, with 40% to 70% humidity. Extreme heat, cold, sunlight and humidity can cause the paint to not adhere properly. You also don’t want to paint on particularly windy days or within 24-48 hours of potential rain. While many types of paint will be dry within an hour, they still need to cure (harden and set). Curing can take days, so make sure that you are clear of rain or heavy winds for at least a day or two after painting.

Properly Prepare Your Siding

Depending on the type of siding you have, different steps will need to be taken to properly prepare it for painting.

  • Vinyl: thoroughly wash with mild soapy water using a power washer, then allow the surface to dry completely.
  • Wood: A light sanding may be necessary to remove old paint that is cracked or chipped (a power sander will be necessary). After sanding, mix a wood-safe cleaner with water and wash. Allow to dry completely before painting
  • Steel/Aluminum: Wash with mild soapy water using a power washer, then allow the surface to dry completely.
  • Brick, stone and masonry: You may want to repair minor cracks with the proper caulk. Wash with mild soapy water and using a power washer, then allow the surface to dry completely.
  • Stucco: most dirt can be removed using a hard-bristle brush or broom. If the stucco is deeply textured, you can use a power washer. Allow to dry completely. You can also repair minor cracks with a stucco repair product.

Choose the Right Paint

Before painting, make sure that you have a paint that is able to be applied to your particular siding. It’s best to speak with a specialist at a paint supplier for paint options.

Know When to Paint and When to Replace!

Not all siding should be painted over, and no amount of paint will fix siding that is too old or worn down. Over the years, vinyl siding will not only lose color, it will become brittle due to consistent effects from harsh weather and sunlight. Wood can rot, stucco will crack and even bricks will become unstable. If you are considering painting your house, it may be worth it to speak with siding contractors to see if your siding needs to be replaced instead. If you are concerned about the state of your house’s siding, contact Schmidt Roofing today.

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