1 September 2026 · painting · exterior
How to Prepare Your House for Exterior Painting
A great exterior paint job is 80% preparation. Here's what happens before a brush touches your walls — and what you should expect from your painter.
Clean first — paint won't stick to dirt
Exterior paint fails most often because it was applied over dirt, chalk, moss or flaking old paint. A proper exterior job starts with pressure washing the walls and letting them dry completely. Any moss or mould is treated, not just painted over, so it doesn't grow back through the new coating.
This stage is slow and unglamorous, but it's the difference between a paint job that lasts ten years and one that peels in two.
Scrape, sand, fill and prime
Loose and flaking paint is scraped back to a sound surface and sanded so the edges don't show. Cracks in render and gaps around windows are filled and sealed. Bare timber and render get primed — primer bonds to the surface and gives the topcoats something to hold onto.
Timber windows and fascia boards usually need the most attention: moving parts, old putty and water damage all get repaired before painting.
Protect, then paint with the weather
A careful painter masks and covers windows, paving and gardens, and won't apply paint in extreme heat, direct hot sun or when rain is forecast. Two finish coats are standard for exteriors — one coat looks fine for a season, then fades fast.
If you're comparing exterior painting quotes, ask exactly what preparation each includes. The cheapest quote is usually the one that skips it — and that's the job you'll be paying for again soon.
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