How to Repair Exterior Wood With Large Paint Chips
Wood on the outside of your home is exposed to the outside elements, such as heavy rains, high winds and extreme sun exposure. Under these harsh conditions, even the most powerful paint only lasts so long. Finally, exterior paint cracks and chips off. While this happens, it’s time to strip the paint and replace it with new durable paint to keep the wholesome appearance of the outside of your home.
Lay protective plastic sheeting in the area below the exterior wood to grab paint you’ll be removing. This prevents chemicals from the paint or the products you use to remove it from seeping into the earth and killing plants or contaminating groundwater.
Peel off as much of the chipped and peeling paint as possible with your hands on. When you’ve removed all you are able to scrape loosened paint with the flat edge of a scraper or putty knife. Do not use the sharp edges of this knife to prevent gouging the wood.
Sand the surface with coarse-grit sandpaper, a sanding instrument or handheld rotary tool with a sanding attachment to remove paint. Once all paint is eliminated, wipe the area down with a tack cloth to remove residual dust.
Sand the surface again with medium-grit sandpaper to sew out the regions that you roughed up using all the coarse-grit material. Wipe off sanding dust with a tack cloth, and sand after again with fine-grit sandpaper to completely smooth the surface. Wipe away all of sanding dust before continuing.
Fill in almost any damaged regions of the timber with outside spackling compound or polyester resin filler. Trowel or squeegee these materials to the damaged area and allow it to heal per product instructions. If you only paint over this damage, it is going to show through the paint.
Sand the patched areas with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth them out so that they are even using the surrounding timber. Wipe away all sanding dust with a tack cloth before continuing.
Wash the whole wood surface with mild soap and warm water. Use a soft-bristle scrub brush to scrub away all dust and dirt. When there is mold or mildew on the timber, add a little bleach on the solution. Rinse well with clean water. Allow the outside to dry undisturbed for at least 48 hours.
Prime the clean, clean, bare timber with latex or oil-based timber primer and a stiff-bristle paintbrush. Coat the whole wood surface at a thin coat of the primer, and then allow it dry completely, per product instructions.
Paint the surface with exterior-grade paint that features UV protection and mildewcide. These additives include durability into the paint, enabling it to withstand more wear and tear. Coat the surface using a paintbrush or a paint sprayer if at all possible. Enable the paint to dry overnight.
Apply another coat of paint, or touch ups, as necessary to finish the painting project. Allow the final coat to dry overnight before removing the protective plastic sheeting.
