Painting Old Cedar Clapboard Siding

Siding nails should not be caulked another item that needs room to play is siding boards themselves.

Painting old cedar clapboard siding.

When painting clapboard siding apply the paint with a roller then brush it in using a brush this saves a lot of dipping with a brush. The siding must be free from mold mildew and dirt. From a distance the house in winchester mass site of the 2002 this old house tv project was a picture of yellow siding and white trim. I warranty all my restorative exteriors for 10 years which means if there is any peeling paint failure due to poor preparation workmanship or materials i will provide labour and materials to amend the problem.

A diyer or a novice painter might attempt to achieve a cleaner look by caulking the siding nails but the nail is guaranteed to push the caulking material out within a few months. Loosened photodegraded surface fibers and. The nails holding up the siding should not be caulked. The following outline is intended to prepare you before buying any such products knowing exactly which type fits your final outcome.

This is necessary if for example the old finish is severely cracked or is peeling. Choosing paint colors for your wooden clapboard siding is one of the more exciting parts of home improvement. Even then the paint is not expected to last long. The majority of the siding is western red cedar and because these homes are 50 years old the siding is from old growth.

Strip the old paint go to our paint stripping page we decided to strip the paint to give us the best chance of producing the longest lasting paint job. While extremely old cedar can be painted it requires heavy preparation. Be careful when painting very old cedar siding. Be sure to remove any caulk where the siding overlaps as old houses need to breathe.

In refinishing painted or solid color stained siding and trim removal of the old coating may be required. Pull out loose nails and renail using stainless steel siding nails. From traditional to contemporary options most home improvement stores have a variety of paint books and brochures outlining available colors and finishes. How to prep for painting.

Closer inspection revealed a craggy clapboard landscape of cracks chips and flakes where 10 coats of paint applied during the 80 year life of the house were failing by degrees. Exterior western red cedar surfaces only need to be refinished when the old coating has worn thin and no longer affords the wood protection. A 1 4 to 1 2 thick roller nap is good for clapboard siding. Surface preparation is the key to success when dealing with weathered wood.