Wooden siding can be long-lasting and very versatile, as it can be painted any color you like. If you decide in a few years that you don't like the color of your home, you can change the color to something else more your style. If the color is fading, there's no need to replace it; you can simply paint over it with new paint. If you have wood siding and you are considering painting it to give it new life, read on for tips and information to help you get this job done properly yourself.
1. Repair Your Siding
Before you even begin to think about painting, you're going to need to make any necessary repairs to the siding. If there are holes, cracks, or rotting portions of the siding, it is going to need to either be repaired or replaced. You can repair the siding using wood putty or wood filler. Apply either of these using a putty knife and smoothing it out. If the wood is rotting, you can replace the piece of wood siding with a new piece from your local hardware store. If the new piece isn't yet primed, you're going to need to do so to ensure the paint adheres properly.
2. Clean The Siding
Clean your siding using a garden hose and wood siding cleaner. A pressure washer can be useful, but it can strip the old paint away. In this case, if you don't remove all of the old paint, you could end up with an uneven paint job. Clean the siding with the wood siding cleaner to remove mold, mildew, and any other stains on your home. Make sure you rinse the siding to be sure it doesn't hinder how the paint adheres to your siding.
3. Allow The Siding To Dry
Once your siding has been cleaned, be sure it is completely dry before you attempt to paint it. Paint is not going to adhere to wet siding, and your paint job could appear uneven if you don't allow the siding to dry completely. You may need to allow for 24-48 hours for your home to dry.
4. Paint Your Siding
Paint your siding using paintbrushes and rollers. You can use a paint sprayer, but if you aren't sure how to use it, you could end up with an uneven paint job. Using a paint sprayer can also lead to a thinner paint job, which is why rollers and paintbrushes are best to use. Paint your first coating on the house and allow it to dry completely before attempting to apply a second coating. Your house may require a second or even a third coat of paint. Look at your paint job from all angles and when the sun is shining on different areas of your home so you can inspect your paint job for any missing spots or areas that need to be touched up. Touch up as needed.
If you are thinking of updating your wood siding with a new paint job, use the helpful information above. Painting the exterior of your home can be a lot of work for one person. Consider hiring an exterior home painting company that has the manpower to get this job done for you.
