Weatherboard House Painting Hunters Hill: Complete Guide

Objective

We want to make you an informed consumer of painting and maintenance and let you know how to do it, what problems to look for before painting it, what exterior coatings to use and when to seek professional help with painting.

Key Takeaways
  • Before painting, check weathertubes for rot and cracks or any peeling paint or moisture damage.
  • Finish repairs prior to exterior painting or priming.
  • The adhesion and durability of paint is greatly influenced by proper cleaning and   preparation of the surface.
  • Choose exterior paint that is suitable for timber weatherboards and the local conditions.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and give the coats plenty of time to dry.
  • Exterior finishes on a weatherboard house can be maintained to help prolong their lifespan.

Introduction

A weatherboard house is a house made of weatherboards and can really add some character to a house. But timber weatherboards are subject to the sun, rain, humidity, wind and varying temperatures all year round. As the years go by, the paint becomes dull, starts to crack, peel and lose its protective layer.

When looking into Weatherboard House Painting Hunters Hill, it is crucial to know the preparation and painting process. Professional painting of weatherboard houses is much more than a mere application of a new colour. Prior to application of finishing coats the timber should be inspected, cleaned, repaired and correctly treated for priming. Where appropriate, Timber Stain and Varnish can also be used to enhance the natural appearance of timber features while helping protect the surface.

The thing is, a good weatherboard painting project is actually going to begin long before an individual is able to get their hands on the paint. It is important that damaged timber is identified and removed and that the surface is prepared correctly to ensure the best possible finish and longevity for any work.

Table of Contents

Why is it that Weatherboard Houses need to be painted regularly?

Weather boards not only give a nice outside look to the house but they also give it some protection. The paintwork can be affected over time by the elements.

Here are some of the typical indicators that a weatherboard house might require repainting:

Paint that is faded or discoloured.
Peeling or flaking paint
Cracked paint
Exposed timber
Mould or mildew
Any boards that have been split or damaged.Any boards that are split or damaged.
Board gaps and joint gaps that can be seen with the naked eye.
Areas of moisture penetration.

Failure to deal with these for too long can allow the surface to develop more serious timber damage.

A new exterior finish can enhance the presentation of the house and can be used to protect acceptable timber surfaces from normal environmental exposure.

Before painting the weatherboards, there are a few things to check.

Before embarking on painting a weatherboard house, it is advisable to understand how to inspect these buildings.

When it comes time to paint, make sure to check the outside of the house, not just the areas that are faded.

Waterfront Weatherboard Painting Guide

1. Look for any damage to the timber. Look for signs of timber damage.

Watch for split, cracked, soft and deteriorating weatherboards. If timber has been exposed to moisture for a long time, it may need to be repaired or replaced prior to painting.

2. Look for Peeling Paint

The painting of flaking or loose paint should not be a substitute for the removal of the old paint. It must be washed away in order to have a stable surface for the new coating to attach to.

3. Ensure that there is no gap between the windows and doors.

Make sure to focus on windows, doors, corners and other joints where water may be able to enter.

4. Look for Mould and Mildew

Mould and mildew and other dark spots should be completely cleaned prior to painting. If contaminants are left untreated in the painting area it may impact the finish and adherence of the new paint coating.

5. Examine the existing coating (if present)

The level of preparation may vary depending on the existing coating. If a large portion is broken, more scraping/sanding or preparation may be required.

The basic principle to follow is to pinpoint and correct the issue before painting it over.

How to Prepare Weatherboards for Painting

Before painting, make sure the weatherboards are prepped.To prepare weatherboards for painting, ensure they are prepped.

Preparing the weatherboard surface is one of the most critical parts of a weatherboard painting project.

1. Clean the Exterior

Scrape off surface dirt, dust, mould, cobwebs etc. If there’s a problem, then there are proper ways of washing the exterior so that it can be prepared.

Next, the surface should be dried to the point of adequate preparation before proceeding with further preparation.

2. Remove the loose and peeling paint.

Remove peeling, blistered or flaking paint. Sanding might also be necessary to polish out rough edges and to produce a more even surface.

3. Repair Damaged Weatherboards

Cracks, holes, broken wood and poor joints must be repaired prior to painting. If the boards are in bad condition, they may need to be replaced.

4. Sand Rough Areas

Sanding may be used to smooth out rough edges and enhance the surface. The goal is to provide a noise-free, fairly level undercoat and topcoat.

5. Prime Where Required

If the timber is exposed or repaired, an appropriate primer could be required. Primer can be used to create a suitable undercoat and to help create consistency over the finish coat.

6. Protect Surrounding Areas

Areas that should not be painted such as windows, doors, pathways, fixtures, landscaping etc. should be protected prior to application.

Preparation can be more time consuming than the painting itself, but can be a key factor in the outcome.

Selecting the appropriate paint for a weatherboard house can mean the difference between a successful and an unattainable project.

When painting weatherboard houses, it is important to select the correct paint.

Exterior paint color is not the only factor to consider when selecting the paint.

The coating for weatherboard homes must be the right one for exterior timbers and the environment to which they are exposed.

Consider the following:

Area
Potential Issues / What to Consider

Weatherboards

Exposure to the exterior, adhesion and flexibility of weatherboards.

Window trims

The trims on windows are detail pieces and exposed to the weather.

Fascia and eaves

Dirt, moisture and sun exposure

Walls

Surface wear and frequent use.

Floors

Surface wear and frequent use.

Timber features

Existing coating and condition

A good exterior wood surface finish which is recommended for the exterior wood surface and application.

Consider the colour as well. Lighter shades can create a different look to darker shades, and trim colours can be used to accentuate architectural features.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your paint, including surface preparation, application, drying and recoating.

A simple process for creating a weatherboard painting.

In this lesson students will learn how to paint a simple weatherboard house.

After the weatherboards have been checked and cleared, the basic procedure is as follows:

Inspect → repair → clean → scrape → sand → prime → apply exterior coating → allow to dry → apply additional coats → inspect the finish

For instance, consider a Hunters Hill weatherboard house that is painted and has some window sashes that have peeled and minor timber damage around the sashes.

It may be possible to paint over the existing surface and leave the problems unresolved. The best way will be to strip away the defective paint, fix any broken sections and then prepare the timber and prime it (if needed) before adding the outside layer.

The number of coats and drying time will depend on the product used, the surface condition and the environmental conditions. Follow all manufacturer’s application guidelines.

These are some of the most frequently occurring issues with weatherboard paintings.

Repainting Peeling Paint

This can lead to an uneven finish and can even cause the new coating to fail before its time.

Ignoring Damaged Timber

Structurally damaged and/or seriously deteriorated timber cannot be replaced with paint. Addressing the underlying problem first is a must.

Painting a Dirty Surface

Interference of adhesion by dust, mould, grease, etc. is possible.

Use of Paint under Unsuitable Conditions

Drying and finish may be affected by extreme heat, rain, high humidity or other poor finishing conditions.

Skipping Primer

If using a primer, then skipping it may result in coverage issues, adhesion and/or consistency.

Applying Thick Coats

Don’t assume that a thicker paint coating offers greater protection. Apply according to the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations.

Do It Yourself or use a Professional?

Doing it yourself or hiring professional weatherboard painters?

If you are able to do the work yourself and have the correct tools, time and confidence to undertake the preparation correctly, then a small, reasonable sized weatherboard property may be a viable project.

But, bigger homes can need a lot of prep work. Tasks such as work at height, redecorating a weatherboard, stripping old exterior surfaces and applying a uniform finish to large exterior areas can make the job more challenging.

When there is a lot of peeling paint, damaged timber, multiple levels in the exterior or detailed architectural features, then professional painting can be very helpful.

Professional help can also save homeowners time in preparation, and make sure that appropriate products and techniques are used.

A Practical Example

Picture a weatherboard house in Hunters Hill with their old exterior paint and some flaking paint around various windows.

To stop further damage, first check the weatherboards and mark any damaged sections, then apply a coat of paint if necessary. Scrape, wash exterior, repair and prepare timber.

If needed, the exterior coating can be applied after the appropriate primer is applied, following manufacturer’s directions.

This method will solve the problem of the surface and not just mask the visible surface issues.

Give Your Weatherboard Home a Fresh New Look

The key to a successful weatherboard painting project is first to be sure it is thoroughly inspected and prepared. Repairing broken wood, repainting with old paint and replacing it with an appropriate exterior paint will produce a more uniform and clean appearance.

Inspection is also crucial following painting. Watching for peeling paint, cracks, moisture issues or areas of bare wood can help to assess maintenance needs before the issues become larger.

Panther Painter has experience in surface preparation, repairs, priming and exterior paint work and will be able to paint residential and commercial buildings throughout Sydney if your weatherboard home needs a thorough preparation, repairs or exterior repaint. 

Frequently Asked Questions

This will vary according to the pre-existing coatings, exposure, condition of the timber, quality of the paints and the local weather conditions. Regular checks of the paint's condition can assist in assessing when repainting is needed.

If existing paint is loose, peeling or failing. When the coatings are faulty, they should be removed and the surface surface should be cleaned up before repainting.

If the surface is rough, uneven or peeling, sanding may be necessary. The exact preparation will depend on the condition of the existing coating.

Yes. Cracked, split or deteriorated timber should be appropriately repaired or replaced before applying the finishing coats.

Apply exterior coating as specified by the manufacturer for an outdoor application and on the type of timber being coated. Follow the instructions for preparation and use of the product.

Yes. The colour of a weatherboard house can make a dramatic difference to its appearance. It may be necessary to add more coats or preparation when switching from dark to light colours and vice versa.

It is one of the most crucial stages in preparation. Cleaning, stripping out defunct paint and fixing any broken timbers that require it, can all improve the quality and lifespan of the finished coat.