How to paint exterior wood & metal
You will need:
-
Saw
- Mallet
- Chisel
- Exterior wood filler
- Clear timber preservative
- Exterior stain or primer, undercoat and topcoat paint
- Paintbrushes
- Wire brush
- Abrasive paper
- Metal primer
- Metal paint
- Filler knife
- Scraper
- Nylon pad
- Knotting compound
The best time to tackle exterior woodwork and metal is the early or late summer, when the sun is less intense but the woodwork is dry. Take time to prepare the surface correctly to get the best result.
Time to complete job: Depending on the condition of the woodwork, allow at least two weekends to repair and paint the wood frames of a small house.
Approximate budget: From around £75.
Tip: Always wear a dust mask and goggles when sanding or using a wire brush.
-
Step 1: Preparing the woodwork
It's important to repair any soft or rotten woodwork before repainting.
Remove the rotted timber with a mallet and chisel, or saw out the larger sections, then patch the damaged area with new wood. Cut the new piece of wood to size, coat with clear wood preservative and allow to dry. Screw and glue the new piece into place.
Use an exterior grade wood filler to fill any smaller holes or cracks and to seal any gaps around the new and old timber.
Sand smooth.
Tip: Always let some of the filler protrude above the surface as it often shrinks as it dries. -
Step 2: Sanding smooth
Remove any flaking paint with a scraper and abrasive paper. For more tips, see Paint Stripping.
Sand down the woodwork to flatten blisters or old drip marks, using non-clogging abrasive paper for a quicker result.
Clean the painted surfaces with warm soapy water and a nylon pad to get rid of any of dirt and grease.
Tip: Use a random orbit sander to speed up the sanding if you have a large area to prepare for painting. -
Step 3: Sealing
Brush knotting compound (a clear varnish) over any knots to stop them showing through and ruining the new paintwork.
Seal all the remaining bare wood with an exterior primer or exterior woodstain. -
Step 4: Painting
Apply an undercoat to the entire surface.
Finish off by brushing on your topcoat colour.
For more tips, see Painting Interior Woodwork and Metal. -
Step 5: Painting metal
Brush away any loose rust and flaking paint with a wire brush and smooth all rough areas with abrasive paper.
Metal surfaces are very smooth and need a primer to 'key' the surface so that the topcoat will brush on evenly. Coat all new metal or exposed areas of rust with a quick-drying metal primer.
Previously painted metal work should be cleaned with warm soapy water and left to dry.
Brush on the gloss or satin-finish metal paint. Most gloss paints are suitable for primed metal but check the label.
Tip: Leave plastic bargeboards (decorative roof edgings) and guttering in their natural colour.
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