Painting Wood Siding Prep

Unfinished siding exposed to several weeks of sunlight before painting needs to be sanded.

Painting wood siding prep.

Sunlight degrades the unfinished wood surface thus it will never hold paint as well as fresh wood. Applying a fresh coat of paint every few years will keep your home looking beautiful. Without good preparation all of the effort and expense that you invest in painting may be diminished by less than stellar results and a job that may not last. Paint tends to peel or flake near joints between dissimilar materials think siding and trim window frames and glass etc.

Give the surface a full day to dry before moving on. Prepare the surface with old buildings such as my 130 year old barn water blasting the loose paint is not a recommended practice. Use an old screwdriver or similar tool to scrape out any failed caulk from joints and cracks. Cleaning the siding.

Before painting wood siding proper preparation is critically important. Use a long handled scrubber brush and a mild detergent to gently scrub away accumulated dirt grime mold and other residue. Use a stiff bristled brushed to scrub away anything that may resist coming off. When you re satisfied with the wood s appearance rinse the exterior from top to bottom with a garden hose.

Adjust the pressure on the power washer to light and gently knock off any dirt or debris that may be attached to the surface of the wood siding. Knowing how to properly prepare and paint your wood siding will make the process go smoothly. Power wash the siding. This is where water seeps into cracks and soaks into the wood causing the paint to peel.

If the unfinished wood was exposed more than 3 to 4 weeks lightly sand the surface to remove the thin layer of degraded wood before applying paint.