Exterior Painting Tips for Peeling Paint

Remove all Loose and Flaking Paint

• Scrape off all the old loose paint. New paint needs to bond with the surface or otherwise it will eventually peel as well. Use a paint scraper, putty knife and wire brush to knock off all the areas where the old paint is peeling or flaking. Lightly sand the edges with sandpaper. Use 120-grit sandpaper for latex paint and 80-grit for oil paint, which smooths the finish and allows the new paint to adhere better.

Wash off All Contaminants

• The exterior of a house is exposed to all sorts of different natural elements that contaminant the surface. In addition to water and moisture mentioned above, other contaminants include dirt, rust, air pollutants, mildew, algae and smoke. The different contaminants prevent a new coat of paint from adhering and securely bonding to the surface. If the contaminants are not removed prior to painting, the new paint eventually cracks and peels. A pressure washer provides the most thorough way to clean the surface of a house; however, a garden hose and nylon brush work as well. Inspect the house before painting. Use a strong detergent, such as Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) if the house is particularly dirty. It is essential to thoroughly rinse the house and not leave any soap residue.

Prime All Bare Wood Spots

• It is essential to use a primer on all spots that are bare. Paint does not adhere very well to bare wood, and new paint will eventually peel. Once you have cleaned and scraped the surface, you'll see a number of spots where the wood is exposed. Prime all of these before painting. A high-quality exterior primer, either oil or latex, will do the job.

Identify and Correct Moisture Problems

• Moisture is one of the most significant culprits responsible for peeling paint. Dampness and moisture are often caused both by interior and exterior factors. Whatever the source of the problem is, quickly identify and correct it. Moisture-related issues cause paint to peel more quickly than any of the problems mentioned above. Stopped up or worn out gutters and downspouts are often the source of the problem. A slow, unnoticeable drip eventually saturates an area, causing the paint to peel. If there is no obvious exterior problem, the cause may be coming from the inside. Leaky pipes in the wall are the most likely cause. Another possible source is a window air conditioner. Identify the problem, and correct it before painting. Thoroughly dry the surface before painting.