A Step-by-Step Guide to Prepping Your Home for Exterior Painting

There are few other home improvement projects here that can do more to improve curb appeal (and protect your property from Washington’s wet, unpredictable weather) than applying a new coat of paint. But before you pick up a brush or roller, there is one essential step that you can’t skip — making sure the surface is adequately prepared.

Your home will look better with proper prep before exterior painting and the paint will adhere better and provide long-lasting results. Follow along through each one to make sure your house is prepped for a perfect paint job.

Step 1: Examine The Exterior of Your New Home Inside and Out

Before you even pick up a can of paint, walk all the way around your house. Identify any spots that will require repairing attention.

Keep an eye out for:

• Peeling or cracking paint: Sign of an old that requires scraping.

• Rot or soft wood: Replace before painting.

• Openings or cracks: These should be sealed with caulk.

• Mold or mildew: Particularly prevalent in Washington’s wet climate.

By taking the time to check out your exterior, you will avoid many costly paint failures and such a small investment of time will guarantee that your new paint job will survive for years to come.

Step 2: Clean the Surface

Regardless of the quality of your paint, it doesn’t adhere well to dirty surfaces. With time, Washington homes accumulate a combination of pollen, dirt and mildew due to humidity in the air.

Here’s how to clean effectively:

• Pressure wash: Wash away grime with a pressure washer on low.

• Scrub by hand: For fragile siding or trim, scrub using a brush with mild detergent and water.

• Scrub well: All soap is removed.

Let your outside dry thoroughly — ideally 24 to 48 hours — before proceeding. Painting over dampness will trap the water and create bubbling or peeling in the future.

Step 3: Repair Damaged Areas

Paint cannot cover damage — only reveal it. consider calling a professional exterior painting contractor Repair any problems you discovered during your inspection after cleaning.

• Remove old or rotten wood and trim and replace it with new materials.

• Patch small cracks and holes with exterior-grade filler.

• Seal gaps and cracks in windows, doors and joints.

If you’re not certain how to deal with widespread wood rot or large repair, consider reaching out to a professional exterior painting contractor that can prepare and restore surfaces as needed before applying paint.

Step 4: Blow and Sand Old Paint

When the sink is finally repaired, it’s best to scrape off old, chipped paint and smooth out rough edges.

• Scrape loose flakes as way with a paint scraper.

• Sanding down any ridges of chipped out areas will leave you with a nice smooth to the touch surface.

• Remove any sanding dust before priming or painting.

If your home was built before 1978, be careful — old paint may contain lead. In that case, use a certified contractor who will work within the requirements of lead-safe practices.

5 Protect landscaping and fixtures.

• When you are painting, be sure to cover the area around your room.

• Use drop cloths to protect shrubs, plantings, patios and walkways.

• Take down or wrap light fixtures and mailboxes.

• Use tape on windows, trim and doorframes for crisp lines.

This additional touch ensures a tidy project and prevents outdoor areas from being splattered with paint.

Step 6: Prime Before Painting

Priming is an easy to forget, but crucial step. It seals bare wood, covers knots and stains, and provides a resinous surface for the paint to adhere too.

Use primer on:

• Bare or repaired areas.

• Stained or discolored spots.

• Porous materials such as wood or stucco.

Go with a moisture-resistant, exterior-grade primer that can stand up to rain and humidity in Washington’s climate.

Step 7: Pick Paint for Washington Weather

When you live in the Pacific Northwest, just any paint won’t do. What you don’t need are cheap exterior paint susceptible to moisture, fluctuations in temperature, and UV damage.

When shopping for paint, start by looking for these characteristics:

• Mildew-resistant formulas to prevent growth.

• UV protected to prevent the fading of the sun.

• Soft coatings that allow seismic shifts in weather.

Select paint that is designed for your type of siding — whether it’s wood, fiber cement, vinyl or stucco — and look at manufacturer guidelines about the temperature at which you apply it.

Step 8: Get the Tools Together

You can’t paint without the right equipment and a good starter kit is essential for any novice.

You’ll need:

• Rollers and brushes (angled brush for trim)

• Extension poles for high areas

• Drop cloths and painter’s tape

• Ladder or scaffolding

• Primer and topcoat

• Paint trays and stir sticks

Preparing all of your supplies in advance not only saves you time but ensures even coverage throughout your project.

Step 9: Paint It Right

• Now to the big job — painting your home’s exterior.

• Begin on the top: Move downwards to avoid drips onto finished surfaces.

• Stroke on in smooth, even strokes: Do not overburden the brush or roller.

• Two coats are better than one: One seals the surface, the other imparts full coverage and rich color.

Leave the time in between coats for drying, that is especially important during more humid weather. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations closely.

Step 10: Clean Up and Inspect

When the last coat dries, peel off the painter’s tape and cleanup your tools. Take a walk around your house to look for missed spots or thin patches. Touch up any spots to achieve a consistent finish.

Keeping everything clean will make your project look professional, keep your tools in great working order for future use.

Why Preparation Matters

The time you save by skipping prep up front will inevitably bite you in the rear on the back end. If you paint dirty, oily surfaces with water-, latex- or acrylic-based paints (which are most of them), the paint won’t stick well; it will look uneven and peel sooner.

You need to be spending all that time washing, sanding and priming — not only because you are making things look better, but also in order to protect your home’s structure from the punishing weather in Washington.

Getting in touch with Professionals for An ideal Outcome

Painting a room can be done as a DIY project, but expert painters ensure proficiency and speed. A reliable crew like HELLO Painting knows how to prep, paint and weatherproof Washington homes against the region’s climate challenges. They enable stress-free, long-lasting exterior makeovers—with everything from durable, weatherproof materials to clean and easy installation.

Final Thoughts

The key to a successful exterior paint job is the prep work — not the color you choose. Properly cleaning, repairing and priming are the difference between a paint job that’s done after one season and one that stands up to a decade.

Consider whether it’s time for your home to make a fresh start by preparing properly or, if not able to tackle the job yourself, hiring professionals who understand how to deal with Washington’s weather. With proper steps, your home will not only be beautiful, it will be protected for years to come.