How to Paint Exterior Woodwork
A wealth of products has been developed for painting exterior woodwork. Never try to economize by using interior gloss paints outside, they will not cope with temperature extremes and will soon flake and split. Do not be afraid to experiment with bright colors on woodwork, but choose a finish that complements, rather than contrasts with, other houses in the neighbourhood.
Fascias, soffits, bargeboards and weatherboards
Choose a dry, calm day to paint and avoid working in direct sunlight, as the glare will prevent you from obtaining good, even coverage. Furthermore, if you are using a water-based (latex) paint, it will dry too rapidly, leaving hard edges.
Start by priming any bare areas, then apply an undercoat and finally one or two coats of gloss. With a standard gloss paint, begin by applying the paint vertically, and then use sideways strokes to blend it well. Work in the direction of the grain, blending in the wet edges for a uniform finish. If you are using a one-coat paint, apply the finish quite thickly in close, parallel strips and do not over-brush. For weatherboarding (siding), paint the undersides first, then the faces, working horizontally.
Doors and fences
If you have an attractive hardwood door, think twice before covering it with several layers of paint. You may prefer to let the natural beauty of the wood show through by applying a stain or varnish.
Stains may be water, oil or spirit-based and are applied directly to the bare wood. Teak and Danish oils are also popular for hardwood doors. They give a waterproof, durable finish and enhance the natural look of the timber. Apply with a clean cloth or brush. The final coat can be applied with a scouring pad or 000-grade wire (steel) wool. If you want a particularly hardwearing paint finish on an exterior door, consider a high-gloss enamel. With this type of product, you will obtain the best results by applying paint sparingly.
For fences and outbuildings, there is a wide selection of exterior wood stains and paints in all shades. Many are water-based and plant-friendly, while being tough enough to withstand the rigours of quite harsh climates. Special paints and stains have also been developed for decking with a greater resistance to scuffing and cracking.
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