Before you start the exterior painting consider using a primer before you apply the finish coat. Your choice of primer should be determined by the type of the exterior surface:

• New Wood Exterior Surfaces
  1. Priming should be done with high quality acrylic latex or oil-based wood primers
  2. If you are priming cedar or redwood, make sure touse a primer with strong stain-blocking characteristics. Oil-based primers will produce the best results

• Repainted Exterior Surfaces
  1. If the paint is very chalky or glossy priming is obligatory after wood has been cleaned and rinsed with water
  2. Priming is also strongly recommended in cases of bare substrate’s exposition
  3. Keep in mind that priming of the entire surface strongly contributes to better adhesion and uniform visual appearance

• Weathered Wood Exterior Surfaces
  1. All gray, weathered color and dust are to be thoroughly removed by pressure washing or a stiff brush with mild detergent and rinsing with water
  2. Priming with a wood primer is to precede the painting

• Masonry Exterior Surfaces
  1. If the surface is extremely porous use sealer or latex masonry primer
  2. If the surface contains old paint that is very porous, or it has been previously removed by scraping or using a wire brush, the use of primer is a must

• Ferrous Metals Exterior Surfaces
  1. Rusted areas should be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed
  2. Afterwards,special latex or oil-solvent primer with corrosion preventive characteristics is to be used

• Aluminum and Galvanized Steel Exterior Surfaces
  1. Powdery oxide areas should be cleaned with a scouring pad
  2. Specially formulated acrylic primer with proven rust-inhibitive characteristics is to be used
  3. Priming is not necessary if the surface was previously painted and it is rust-free