Can You Paint Wood Siding?
Posted on April 12, 2022
Painting the exterior of your home is an economical and necessary project to protect it from the elements. Rain, snow, and the sun can all severely damage your home in different ways. Painting, and the prep work that goes into it, is a vital step in preserving it. Plus, nothing increases the curb appeal of your home like fresh paint – even if you aren’t changing colors.
Since there are different types of siding, each material requires different preparation and painting. Learn more about wood siding below!
How to Paint Natural Wood Siding
Because of its natural elements, this type of siding needs protecting. Making sure you’re staying on top of the maintenance of your natural wood siding will guarantee your home stays in good shape and looks beautiful for years to come. An effective way to maintain the integrity of your natural wood siding is to refresh its paint.
Step 1: Inspect your siding
Check to see if there is any flaking, peeling, exposed seams, or rotting wood. These problems need to be addressed before you begin painting.
Step 2: Scrape away and sand down loose paint
After putting down drop cloths to catch any paint debris, use a paint scraper to remove any flaking or peeling paint to ensure a smooth finish. Next, using a sander, begin sanding with a coarse abrasive and finish with a fine abrasive to smooth the edges between painted and scraped areas. Failing to thoroughly prep your natural wood siding before painting can result in uneven coverage or more peeling. Additionally, painting over wood with high moisture content does not stop the deterioration process and should be replaced.
Step 3: Prime the wood
You’ll need to wash the surface of the wood before painting. Ideally, use a pressure washer to blast away any dirt or remaining paint chips by going from bottom to top to avoid any staining. Be extremely careful to not get water behind the siding as this can cause moisture issues inside your home. Let dry for 2 or 3 days before you start painting.
Step 4: Paint
At CertaPro Painters® of Alpharetta, we recommend applying a primer/sealer before painting your base color to ensure the paint bonds to the wood correctly. Once that coat dries completely, apply your paint color! Starting from the top and working down, make sure you’re applying paint evenly to avoid noticeable markings as it dries.
Ready to make a change? Schedule your FREE painting estimate with us today!
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