Exterior Painting Process SOP

Purpose

Standardize residential exterior painting. Exterior paint failures are visible from the street + drive callbacks; prep + correct product selection are non-negotiable.

Scope

Wood, fiber-cement, stucco, brick exterior surfaces. Excludes vinyl siding repainting (special primers required) + metal roofing.

Prerequisites

• Weather window: 3-5 dry days, temps 50-90°F, low humidity, light wind
• Pressure washer + power source
• Paint sprayer (airless, 0.015-0.019 tip) OR brushes + rollers
• Ladders + scaffolding for high work
• Drop cloths + plastic to protect landscaping
• Quality primer (oil-based for raw wood; acrylic for previously-painted)
• Quality exterior acrylic latex paint
• 100% acrylic caulk for gaps
• Wood filler for repairs

Procedure

Phase 1: Inspection + prep (1-3 days)

1. Walk perimeter: note rot, peeling, mildew, cracks, flashing issues
2. Document existing color + product if recoating
3. Photograph problem areas
4. Brief customer on what needs repair (rot, caulk, glazing) - extra cost
5. Schedule weather

Phase 2: Pressure wash (1 day)

1. Use moderate pressure (1,500-2,500 PSI for wood; 2,500-3,500 for masonry)
2. Detergent or bleach solution for mildew (1:4 bleach/water; rinse thoroughly)
3. Wash from top down
4. Don't blast water under siding / into windows
5. Allow 24-48 hr to dry before paint
6. Verify dryness with moisture meter (< 15% moisture in wood)

Phase 3: Scrape + sand (1-2 days)

1. Scrape loose/flaking paint to sound surface
2. Sand rough edges feather-smooth
3. Repair rotten wood: epoxy fill or replace
4. Pre-1978 homes: lead-paint precautions (RRP certification required)

Phase 4: Caulk + fill (1 day)

1. Caulk all gaps: window/door trim, corners, where dissimilar materials meet
2. Use 100% acrylic OR siliconized acrylic caulk (not pure silicone - paint won't stick)
3. Tool caulk smooth with wet finger
4. Allow 24 hr cure before paint

Phase 5: Prime (1 day)

1. Spot prime bare wood, scraped areas, repaired wood
2. Full primer if going from dark to light OR previously stained
3. Use exterior-grade primer matching topcoat chemistry
4. Allow recoat time (typically 2-4 hr)

Phase 6: Paint body (1-2 days)

1. Spray + back-brush (or back-roll) for best adhesion

• Spray gives speed + uniform coverage
• Back-brushing forces paint into surface texture

1. 2 coats standard
2. Maintain wet edge; don't stop mid-wall
3. Recoat per manufacturer timing (typically 2-4 hr; never more than 24-36 hr OR add wash step)

Phase 7: Paint trim + accents (1 day)

1. Cut in carefully where trim meets body
2. Two coats with light sand between
3. Window glazing: oil-based glazing compound only paintable when fully cured (weeks)

Phase 8: Cleanup + walkthrough

1. Remove all drop cloths, masking
2. Move overspray off windows, AC condensers
3. Customer walkthrough - point out any issues
4. Provide warranty (typically 5-7 years on labor)

Surface-specific notes

Wood siding (cedar, pine, fir):

• Most prep-intensive
• Spot prime all knots (knots bleed tannin through paint)
• 2 coats over primer

Fiber cement (Hardie, etc.):

• Comes pre-primed; topcoat directly
• Good adhesion; long life
• 2 coats acrylic latex; expect 10-15 year life

Stucco:

• Patch cracks before priming
• Use elastomeric coatings for moderate cracks
• Use masonry primer
• Spray + back-roll typical

Brick:

• Painting brick is sometimes regretted (hard to reverse, traps moisture)
• If painting: efflorescence cleaner + masonry primer + breathable masonry paint
• Recommend pressure-wash + tuckpointing alternative

Aluminum siding:

• Light scuff-sand for adhesion
• Bond primer
• 100% acrylic topcoat
• Expect 10-15 years

Vinyl siding:

• Special "vinyl-safe" paints only (low heat-absorbing)
• Light colors only (dark = heat warping)
• Many factory-finished; painting voids manufacturer warranty

Common pitfalls

• Painting wet wood: paint blisters in days
• Painting in direct sun on hot surface: paint dries too fast, doesn't bond
• Skipping power wash: paint adheres to dirt, peels in 1-2 years
• Cheap paint: 5-year life vs 10-15 year for quality; costs more long-term
• Wrong primer: oil paint over latex primer is fine; latex over oil needs bonding primer
• No back-brushing on sprayed: paint sits on top, doesn't penetrate
• Painting over peeling: peels return within months
• Forgetting to prime knots: tannin bleed-through within weeks

Safety + environmental

• Lead paint (pre-1978): RRP certified, containment, cleanup
• VOC: latex < 50 g/L; acrylic typically OK; oils higher
• Ladder safety: 4:1 ratio, tie off
• Power tools: GFCI protection
• Pressure washer: never aim at people, electrical, AC condensers

References

• Paint manufacturer technical data sheets
• PCA exterior standards
• EPA RRP rule (for pre-1978 homes)
• Manuall internal: Surface Prep for Painting, Paint Types + Chemistry Reference