The Paint Is Peeling on the Exterior Window Frames

Painting Home Exteriors

• Exterior painting requires proper surface preparation and the right chemical composition for the task. First, find and repair areas where moisture settles on the surface of the wood. This may come from roof leaks or gutter overflows that should be filled or diverted. Cleaning is particularly important on exterior window sills where dirt can settle heavily. Wash the window exterior carefully to remove dirt and grime. Paint will bond much better to a surface free of dirt and grease. Then, use a water-based acrylic primer to help seal the wood.

Paint Problems

• The house exterior can see a number of problems with paint. Oil paints may show blistering from hot sunlight soon after painting. Mildew can grow on painted surfaces that lie in shade. Crossgrain cracking may occur from paint being applied too heavily. Exterior windows that often see an accumulation of moisture during winter snows and spring rains can have particular problems with peeling and blistering paint that only gets worse over time.

Exterior Window Frame Problems

• Peeling around exterior windows can occur when moisture settles into crevices of the paint. The resulting expansion and contraction causes separation and peeling. Intercoat peeling can occur when a new coat of paint separates from previous coats of paint. This problem is often a result of dirt between the coats that causes a weak chemical bond between the two layers of paint, according to the BobVila site. Paint may also peel when more than two weeks passes between application of the primer coat and the top coat, preventing a proper bond between the two layers.

Repairing Peeling Paint on Windows

• To repair exterior window frames that are peeling, scrape loose paint particles from the surface. Fill cracks and holes with caulk and allow to dry thoroughly. Bad areas of peeling and cracking should be sanded down to the bare wood. Then, apply a water repellent preservative to prevent reoccurrence of the peeling problem, according to Iowa State University extension specialists Dean Prestemon and Laura Sternweis. Finish with a prime coat of high-quality latex or oil-based paint. For recurring, excessive moisture problems on exterior windows, use a penetrating stain instead of paint.