Time to paint your house? For a successful exterior painting job, you need to be very thorough with the preparatory work. Additionally, the wood must be clean and dry for the paint to adhere. Our step-by-step guide from preparation to painting will help you achieve a long-lasting facade.
Preparatory work
Washing the facade
Before you start painting the house, it's important to do proper preparatory work. Start by thoroughly washing the facade with paint cleaner or mold remover. Then, let the wood dry.


Scraping and sanding
Inspect the facade and scrape off any loose, flaking paint with a paint scraper and sand any chips with sandpaper.


Filling cracks
Fill all cracks and gaps in the wood.
Protect and cover
Protect and cover all surfaces you do not intend to paint. Make sure you use products suitable for outdoor use.


Primer
Painting wooden surfaces
After scraping, you may notice that you have wooden surfaces – meaning surfaces you have scraped or sanded. These need to be primed to better protect the wood from moisture.

Allow to dry
Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step: topcoat.
Topcoat
Now it's time to start painting the house! Paint the entire facade, including the primed surfaces. Start with the panel first, and finish with the gables and corners.
Remember to choose a brush that matches the width of the wood cladding. Read our guide on choosing the right model: Painting the house facade – choosing the right brush. Also, make sure you paint with a high-quality brush to give the facade the best protection. A good brush has thick, even bristles and many clever features to make the work easier.

Take plenty of color
Load the brush with plenty of paint and apply it, allowing the paint to dry thoroughly before applying the final coat. And don't forget to use an extension handle. You'll get better reach, work faster, and avoid unnecessary ladder climbing.
Wait for the right weather
Avoid painting if the wood is hot or if the sun is shining. If you do, the paint will dry too quickly and may start to flake.
Also, remember to wash the facade every year.