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
- Priming should be done with high quality acrylic latex or oil-based wood primers
- 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
- If the paint is very chalky or glossy priming is obligatory after wood has been cleaned and rinsed with water
- Priming is also strongly recommended in cases of bare substrate’s exposition
- Keep in mind that priming of the entire surface strongly contributes to better adhesion and uniform visual appearance
- Weathered Wood Exterior Surfaces
- 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
- Priming with a wood primer is to precede the painting
- Masonry Exterior Surfaces
- If the surface is extremely porous use sealer or latex masonry primer
- 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
- Rusted areas should be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed
- Afterwards,special latex or oil-solvent primer with corrosion preventive characteristics is to be used
- Aluminum and Galvanized Steel Exterior Surfaces
- Powdery oxide areas should be cleaned with a scouring pad
- Specially formulated acrylic primer with proven rust-inhibitive characteristics is to be used
- Priming is not necessary if the surface was previously painted and it is rust-free