How To Prepare Siding For Paint

Sanding filler caulking edges where trim meets another substrate allowing to dry.

How to prepare siding for paint. For a really thorough job scrub the siding with a stiff bristle brush mounted on a pole. Coat your roller in primer and roll quickly and evenly along the panel of siding then roll backward in the opposite direction. Test old siding paint for lead using a lead test kit. Because this solution is caustic it isn t recommended for use on bare wood.

Inspect the siding for mildew powdery paint pigment and mildew rub siding with cloth to check for powdery paint pigment and mildew. Priming all bare wood caulking fillers sealing trim allowing primer to properly dry. Cover ground and nearby shrubs with drop cloths. If you need to paint aluminum siding choose a day when the weather is at least 50 f 10 c and dry since moisture from rain or dew will ruin a new paint job.

Dip it into a solution of water and trisodium phosphate tsp or a tsp substitute mixing 7 parts water to 1 part cleaner. Reload the brush with paint when necessary. Another key step preparing trim for paint is priming. If the wood absorbs the paint quickly you may need to apply one or two more coats to ensure the wood is saturated and the paint fully covers the siding without leaving any bare areas.

Once primer has dried trim is ready repainting exterior trim looking brand new. If lead is present contact a licensed lead abatement specialist. Start at the top and paint horizontally along the top and bottom of each sideboard.