Prep Work Before House Painting: 6 Steps
Discover the 6 essential steps of prep work before house painting. Learn how pressure washing, scraping, and priming make your exterior paint finish last.
Why Does Exterior Paint Fail?
Most exterior paint failures in the Pacific Northwest aren't from bad paint—they're caused by bad prep work. Here is how to make your finish last.
Weathered, peeling exterior wooden siding wet from rain.
Step 1: Pressure Washing
Every lasting paint job starts with a deep clean. Pressure washing removes dirt, mildew, and algae that stop new paint from bonding properly.
A pressure washer nozzle resting on a wet wooden deck next to a clean wall.
Step 2 & 3: Scrape and Sand
Remove all loose, flaking paint down to a firm edge. Then, sand the transitions smooth so your new coat won't show obvious ridges where old paint ended.
A paint scraper and sanding block on a wooden windowsill.
Step 4: Repair Hidden Damage
Prep work often reveals dry rot or popped nails. In Vancouver WA, replacing rotted trim and fixing damaged siding is crucial before painting begins.
Newly replaced piece of exterior wooden trim next to older siding.
Step 5: Seal Every Gap
Apply fresh exterior-grade caulk to every joint, gap, and seam. This prevents water intrusion, which is the number one cause of paint failure.
Freshly caulked exterior window frame on a modern house.
Step 6: Prime Bare Wood
Bare wood and repaired areas need primer to block tannin bleed and create a uniform base. Skipping this step leads to uneven, blotchy coverage!
Metal paint can with white primer next to a paintbrush on a drop cloth.
Ready For A Lasting Finish?
Good prep takes time, but it makes your paint job last years longer. Contact us to prep your Vancouver WA home for a finish that holds up to PNW weather!
Beautifully painted house exterior with blue siding and white trim.
Prep Work Before Painting: Pressure Washing, Scraping, and Priming