Touch up exterior paint
Short answer
Each summer, scrape loose paint, sand the edges, prime bare wood, and brush on matching exterior paint to seal any bare or peeling spots.
Why It Matters
Bare or peeling spots let moisture into siding, accelerating rot. Touch-ups extend the life of the full paint job by years.
Tools
- Putty knife or paint scraper
- Sandpaper or sanding block
- Paintbrush
Materials
- Exterior primer
- Matching exterior paint
How to Do It
- Photograph the label on your existing paint can before you start so you have the color and finish on hand for matching.
- Inspect the siding for bare spots, bubbling, or peeling paint, and mark any areas that need attention.
- Use a putty knife or scraper to remove all loose or flaking paint from each damaged area.
- Sand the edges of the scraped areas smooth so the new paint won't leave a visible ridge.
- Apply exterior primer to any bare wood and let it dry fully before painting.
- Brush matching exterior paint over the primed areas, feathering the edges into the surrounding finish.
Related Tasks
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