How to Repair Peeling Exterior Window Paint

Water is the most common cause of peeling exterior window paint. Poor or worn caulk sealing around the window allows water to penetrate beneath the window frame trim. The repair required to restore the window paint to its former glory requires cleaning up the peeling paint, priming, resealing and then painting again. Sealing a window properly can keep out moisture and insects and make the heating and air-conditioning systems inside the house more efficient. If the substrate material of the window trim isn't damaged, repainting will also increase its longevity.

Paint scraper
Wire brush
120-grit sandpaper
Dust brush
Vacuum
Exterior primer paint
Paintbrush
Exterior acrylic siliconized caulk
Caulking gun
Carpet knife
Low adhesive masking tape
Razor scraper

Instructions

- 1
  Remove all peeling paint using a paint scraper. Eliminate peeling paint from corners and grooves with a wire brush.
- 2
  Sand the broken edges of paint still clinging to the window frame, sill and trim work with 120-grit sandpaper. Sand until all areas are smooth to the touch.
- 3
  Brush away all paint particles with a dust brush and clean the grooves in the window sill with a vacuum.
- 4
  Soak a paintbrush's bristles with exterior primer paint. Prime the sill, frame and trim work with the brush. Wait 24 hours for the primer to dry.
- 5
  Caulk the joints in the trim work, window frame and sill with a caulking gun loaded with a tube of acrylic siliconized caulk. Cut the tip of the tube of caulk off with a carpet knife. Smooth out the caulk with your finger and then allow it to dry for 24 hours.
- 6
  Paint the sill, the window frame and the trim work with exterior finish paint. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours and then apply a second coat.

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