Prepare and paint your home's exterior with proper washing, scraping, priming, and application techniques timed for ideal weather conditions.
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Planning and Weather Timing
Choose the right season to paint
Paint adheres best when temperatures stay between 50-85°F for 24+ hours. Late spring and early fall are ideal in most climates. Avoid painting in direct sun — the shaded side of the house in the morning is the shady side to paint first.
Calculate paint quantity and order materials
Measure total surface area minus windows and doors. One gallon covers 250-350 sq ft on exterior surfaces (less than interior due to texture). A 2,000 sq ft home typically needs 10-15 gallons for 2 coats.
Select exterior-grade paint and primer
Use 100% acrylic latex for exteriors — it expands and contracts with temperature changes. Flat hides imperfections, satin offers a slight sheen. Expect to pay $35-$60 per gallon for quality exterior paint that lasts 10-15 years.
Rent or buy the right equipment
An airless sprayer ($50-$100/day rental) paints 10x faster than brushing but requires masking. Extension ladders ($200-$400 to buy, $40-$60/day to rent) reach 2-story homes. You also need a 4-inch brush, roller, and 5-in-1 tool.
Assess ladder needs for the house height
Get plastic sheeting for masking windows and shrubs
Surface Preparation
Pressure wash the entire exterior
Use 1,500-2,000 PSI for wood siding, 2,500-3,000 PSI for brick or masonry. Rent a pressure washer for $50-$100/day. Work from top to bottom, holding the wand 12-18 inches from the surface. Let the house dry 2-3 days before painting.
Scrape and sand all peeling or flaking paint
A 5-in-1 tool ($8-$12) is the best scraping tool. Follow with 80-grit sandpaper to feather edges where old paint meets bare wood. Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint — test with a $10 kit and follow EPA lead-safe work rules if positive.
Repair damaged siding, trim, and wood rot
Epoxy wood filler ($15-$25 per quart) fills rotted areas up to 1 inch deep. Replace boards with rot deeper than 1 inch. A single replacement clapboard costs $3-$8 plus installation. Repairs now prevent moisture from getting behind the new paint.
Caulk gaps around windows, doors, and trim
Use paintable exterior caulk ($4-$6 per tube). Caulk every joint where two different materials meet — siding to trim, trim to window frame. A typical house uses 8-15 tubes. Let caulk cure 24 hours before painting over it.
Mask windows, doors, light fixtures, and landscaping
Use 1.5-inch painter's tape and 12-inch masking film rolls ($8-$12/roll) on windows. Cover shrubs and foundation plantings with plastic sheeting. Proper masking takes 3-5 hours for a whole house but prevents hours of cleanup.
Priming
Prime all bare wood and repaired areas
Use an oil-based or shellac-based primer on bare wood for best adhesion. Latex primer works on previously painted surfaces. Prime within 48 hours of sanding bare wood — exposed wood absorbs moisture quickly and loses adhesion.
Apply full primer coat if changing to a lighter color
Going from dark to light requires a tinted primer in a shade close to the topcoat. This saves a full topcoat — 2 coats over tinted primer looks as good as 3 coats without it. A gallon of exterior primer costs $20-$35.
Let primer dry according to manufacturer's instructions
Most exterior primers need 4-8 hours before recoating in dry conditions. High humidity or temperatures below 60°F can double dry time. Test by pressing a finger to the surface — it should feel dry and chalky, not tacky.
Painting Application
Paint trim, fascia, and detail work first with a brush
A 3-inch angled sash brush works best for trim. Apply 2 thin coats — thick coats drip and sag on vertical surfaces. Start at the top of the house and work down. Trim takes 30-40% of the total project time.
Apply first coat of siding paint
Brush, roll, or spray the siding working top to bottom, one section at a time. Maintain a wet edge by completing each wall section before breaks. If spraying, back-brush or back-roll immediately to work paint into the texture.
Apply second coat after proper dry time
Wait 4-6 hours between coats in ideal conditions. Never apply a second coat before the first is fully dry — this causes peeling within 1-2 years. Two thin coats last 3-5 years longer than one thick coat.
Paint doors and shutters
Remove doors from hinges and paint horizontally on sawhorses to prevent drips. Shutters can be removed or painted in place. Apply 2 coats of semi-gloss for a durable, washable finish on high-touch surfaces.
Check for missed spots and touch up
Walk around the house at different times of day — the changing light angle reveals thin spots and missed areas. Touch up within the same day for the best color and sheen match. Mark trouble spots with tape so you find them easily.
Cleanup and Protection
Remove masking while paint is still slightly tacky
Pull tape at a 45-degree angle. If paint has fully cured (24+ hours), score the tape edge with a utility knife to prevent peeling. Remove plastic sheeting from shrubs promptly — trapped heat damages plants within hours on sunny days.
Clean and store equipment
Flush airless sprayers with water until it runs clear — dried paint in the pump costs $200+ to fix. Clean brushes in warm soapy water for 5 minutes. Store brushes hanging or in their covers to maintain bristle shape.
Store leftover paint for future touch-ups
Seal cans tightly and store indoors between 50-80°F. Label each can with the color, surface, and date. Exterior paint lasts 5-10 years sealed. You'll need touch-up paint within 2-3 years for high-wear areas.
Inspect the job after 1-2 weeks for any issues
Check for peeling, blistering, or adhesion failures after the paint has fully cured (7-14 days). Address any issues within the warranty period if you hired a contractor — most offer a 2-year workmanship warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to paint the exterior of a house?
Professional exterior painting costs $3,000-$8,000 for a 1,500-2,000 sq ft single-story home and $5,000-$12,000 for a two-story home. DIY runs $500-$1,500 in paint and supplies. The biggest cost factors are house size, number of stories, and surface condition. Homes with lead paint or extensive wood rot add $1,000-$5,000 in prep costs. Paint alone runs $35-$70 per gallon for quality exterior paint, and most homes need 10-20 gallons.
What is the best time of year to paint a house exterior?
Late spring through early fall provides the best conditions in most climates. Ideal painting weather is 50-85°F with humidity below 50% and no rain in the forecast for 24-48 hours. Avoid painting in direct afternoon sun, which causes the paint to dry too fast and blister. Most exterior paints need a minimum of 4 hours of drying time before dew or rain. In the South, early morning and late afternoon are the best painting windows to avoid peak heat.
How long does exterior paint last?
Quality exterior latex paint lasts 7-10 years on wood siding and 10-15 years on stucco, brick, and fiber cement. Proper surface preparation extends paint life by 3-5 years compared to painting over poorly prepped surfaces. The south and west sides of a house fade and peel first due to UV exposure. Two coats over a quality primer last 25-40% longer than a single coat, making the extra gallon of paint worth the investment.
Do I need to pressure wash before painting the exterior?
Yes, pressure washing removes dirt, mildew, and chalky residue that prevent paint from adhering. Use 1,500-2,000 PSI for wood siding and up to 2,500 PSI for masonry. Hold the nozzle 12-18 inches from the surface and use a 25-degree fan tip. Wait 24-48 hours after washing for the surface to dry completely before painting. Renting a pressure washer costs $50-$100 per day, or hire a professional for $200-$500.
Should I use a sprayer or brush to paint a house exterior?
An airless sprayer covers 10x faster than brushing and is ideal for large flat surfaces like siding. However, spraying alone leaves a thin, uneven coat. The professional method is to spray, then immediately back-brush or back-roll to work paint into the surface for full adhesion. Rent an airless sprayer for $80-$150 per day. Use a brush for trim, window frames, and detailed areas where overspray would be a problem.