How We Prep Your Home's Exterior Before It's Painted

Exterior paint lasts only as long as the surface under it, so prep comes before any paint goes on. The house is washed, loose and peeling paint is removed, cracks and gaps are repaired and caulked, bare and patched areas are primed, and everything that isn't getting paint is covered. Then the finish coats go on.

1. Wash the house

Dirt, mildew and chalky old paint keep new paint from bonding. The exterior is pressure washed with a fan tip, at a pressure that cleans without gouging stucco or wood, then left to dry completely.

2. Remove loose and peeling paint

Paint that's peeling, flaking or blistering is scraped off, and the edges are sanded so they don't show through. Paint that's still firmly bonded stays. See paint stripping methods and when to use them.

3. Repair cracks and damage

Cracks in stucco are filled with a flexible patch so they don't reopen as the house heats and cools. Holes and damaged areas are repaired so the surface is sound and flat.

4. Caulk

Gaps around windows, doors, trim and where materials meet are sealed with exterior caulk. That keeps rain out of the walls and gives the paint clean edges.

5. Prime

Bare wood, patched stucco and stained areas are primed so the finish coats bond and cover evenly.

6. Protect and paint

Windows, doors, lights, walkways and plants are covered. Then the finish coats go on, applied when the weather allows them to dry properly. See painting after rain in Florida.

Exterior painting in Orlando

New Ceilings paints home exteriors across Orlando and Central Florida, with the prep done first and Sherwin-Williams paint made for Florida sun and rain. Every job starts with a free written quote. See interior and exterior painting.