How to Change the Color of Wood Siding

Paint the siding using the color that you prefer. If the current paint is peeling, scrape the surface of the siding with a paint scraper to remove any lose paint, then prime any bare wood with exterior grade primer before applying the finish paint. You can also paint wood that was previously bare or stained. If you do this, you should prime the entire surface before applying the finish coat.

Stain the wood to bring out the grain and make it darker. Staining won't work very well if the siding was previously painted, unless you go to the effort of scraping all of the paint off. If the wood siding is bare or is already stained, you can apply a different color stain. This will be most effective if the new stain is darker than the old stain. Keep the stain well-stirred to ensure an even application of color throughout the job.

Strip off old paint and leave the wood natural to create a dramatic change in the appearance of your home. This technique is labor intensive because it involves removing paint that is still strongly adhered to the surface of the wood siding as well as paint that is already peeling. You can buy powerful chemical paint strippers, but these often include hazardous chemicals and are not good for your skin or your property. You can also remove stubborn paint by heating it with a blowtorch until it bubbles.

Power wash aging wood siding to remove mold, mildew and darkening and return it to a newer and lighter surface appearance. When using a power washer, aim it to minimize the risk of water being driven in behind the siding. For horizontal clapboards, always aim the washer down so that it runs off the clapboards. A power washer is most effective on naturally finished wood siding that has been discolored by excessive moisture or that has moss growing on it. Maintain the fresh look by applying a coat of clear wood preservative after the siding has dried.