How to Paint a Sunporch

Interior Painting

• 1

  Clear all furniture from the sunporch, or at least move it away from all walls. Cover any furniture that you leave in the middle of the room with a drop cloth. Use another drop cloth to cover the floor. Moisten the underside of the drop cloth with a small amount of water if you have tile flooring; this will keep the cloth securely in place. Do not use the water technique on wooden floors or carpeting.

• 2

  Sand the walls of your sunporch to remove any drip marks, blistering or other irregularities on the room's old coat of paint. Use fine-grit sandpaper and sand just enough to produce an even texture throughout. Mark off the edges of windows, the border of the ceiling and the floor or any trim molding, using painter's tape.

• 3

  Select a paint color that complements your sunporch decor. Opt for a light hue such as white, eggshell or yellow for a classic sunporch look and a bright, spacious effect.

• 4

  Paint the entire room with one layer of primer, especially if you are painting a light color over a darker one. Let the primer dry entirely, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use a brush to paint the uppermost edges of the walls and the areas right around the windows and any trim. Switch to a roller to complete the painting job, partially painting over the trim areas you did with the brush so that you don't leave any lines. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly. Repeat the procedure for a second coat, as necessary.

Exterior Painting

• 5

  Wash the entire exterior of the sunporch with soapy water, using either a power washer or a hose and a brush. Let the water dry completely. Use a putty knife or an electric sander to sand and scrape off any peeling paint. Apply paint remover to any areas where the paint is difficult to remove.

• 6

  Lay down drop cloths to cover any shrubs, flowerbeds or grassy areas directly beside the exterior walls. Remove shutters, awnings, street address numbers, light fixtures and any other elements you do not wish to paint.

• 7

  Apply a coat of primer, using the roller or brush -- whichever is more convenient given the surface of your sunporch's exterior walls. Let the primer dry thoroughly. Apply exterior paint that contains both urethane and acrylic resins for a long-lasting finish.