The paint on your home sends a message. If it’s fresh and sleek, your home looks well-kempt and impressive; if it’s peeling and chipped, it looks unmaintained. Peeling paint can’t be repaired by simply painting over it. If it’s not fixed, it can lead to worsening adhesion and substrate damage. At Sundeleaf Painting, we provide high-quality exterior painting services for high-end homes near you in Portland, Oregon. Here, we discuss what causes peeling paint and how to remedy it.
Key Takeaways
- Peeling paint can be caused by moisture intrusion, insufficient preparation, UV exposure, and substrate movement.
- If your home’s exterior paint starts peeling, you’ll need to determine whether spot repair is sufficient or if full repainting is the better option.
- Removing peeling paint involves testing for lead paint, using hand scraping or chemical stripping, sanding, cleaning, and applying a primer and topcoat.
- To prevent peeling paint from coming back, repair moisture problems, use the proper paint system, and maintain exposed surfaces.
- Sundeleaf Painting provides exterior painting services for high-end homeowners in Portland, Oregon.
Why Does Exterior Paint Peel?
Exterior paint takes a beating from wind, rain, humidity, and other elements, and it doesn’t last forever. Paint can peel for several reasons, and the most common ones include:
- Moisture intrusion: When moisture enters your siding from rain, snowmelt, or high humidity, it can saturate the substrate and then evaporate, which causes the paint to push off and start to peel.
- Inadequate preparation: If preparation doesn’t include primer or paint is applied over dirty or damp surfaces, the paint won’t adhere well enough and can peel down the road.
- UV exposure: Long-term UV exposure, especially during the painting process, can affect the paint’s curing process and cause air bubbles underneath, which will eventually crack and peel.
- Substrate movement: Certain substrates like wood will expand and contract over time, which can cause the paint to peel.
Using incompatible coatings can also affect the paint’s adhesion and result in peeling.
What Should You Do When Exterior Paint Starts Peeling?
If you notice that your home’s exterior paint is starting to peel, you should:
- Inspect the extent of the peeling, cracking, and flaking
- Identify whether wood, metal, masonry, or previous coatings are exposed
- Decide whether spot repair or full repainting is needed
Spot repair is often sufficient if the peeling is small and only affects a single trim piece or board, while full repainting is the better choice if the peeling spans multiple areas, the surrounding paint is faded, or the peeling is caused by moisture intrusion or poor adhesion.
Safe Paint Removal and Surface Preparation
If your home’s exterior paint is peeling, you can’t simply paint over it with a new coat, as it won’t fix the underlying problem and can cause worsening adhesion. Instead, you will need to remove the peeling paint and carefully prepare your surface before repainting. This involves:
- Testing for lead if the home was built before 1978 (hire a professional if lead is found)
- Putting down a tarp or other form of protection to avoid a big mess
- Using hand scraping or chemical stripping to remove peeling paint, avoiding pressure washing
- Sanding sharp edges between bare spots
- Brushing away dust and cleaning the siding with mild detergent
- Applying an exterior-grade bonding primer before applying your final topcoat
If you don’t want to handle all this by yourself, turn to the skilled professionals at Sundeleaf Painting. We have decades of experience in removing peeled paint, refinishing, and repainting, and we can help your home look as good as new.
How Do You Prevent Peeling Paint from Coming Back?
Peeling paint is a pain, and after you fix it, you want to prevent it from recurring. Some ways to prevent peeling paint from returning include:
- Repair moisture problems before repainting
- Use the right paint system for Portland weather (often 100% acrylic latex paint with a moisture-tolerant primer)
- Maintain caulk, trim, gutters, and exposed surfaces
These steps help to ensure proper adhesion and prevent moisture intrusion, which helps prevent peeling paint.
Choose Sundeleaf Painting for High-Quality Exterior Painting
If your home’s exterior paint is peeling, turn to Sundeleaf Painting to help repair it. We have experience in high-end exterior painting, including homes with peeling paint. We also provide thorough preparation and careful repairs before we get to work, helping to ensure a long-lasting finish. We also offer interior painting, wood refinishing, cabinet painting, and more. To learn more about how to fix peeling paint or to schedule a consultation for exterior painting near you in Portland, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peeling Paint
Why is my exterior paint peeling?
Exterior paint may be peeling because of moisture intrusion, improper preparation, UV exposure, substrate movement, or incompatible coatings.
Can I paint over peeling exterior paint?
No, you should not paint over peeling exterior paint because it doesn’t fix the underlying problem and will not adhere properly.
Does all peeling paint need to be scraped off?
No, not all of the paint on the surface needs to be scraped off, only the parts that are flaking, loose, or actively peeling.
When do I need primer before exterior painting?
You should typically use primer before exterior painting when:
- You’re painting over bare wood, metal, or masonry
- You’re making major color changes
- Your home has difficult adhesion conditions or patched areas
Should I pressure wash my house before painting?
It depends. It’s important to thoroughly clean your home before repainting, which can be done with a pressure washer. However, if it’s not done properly, it can damage your siding. Hiring a professional pressure/power washer is recommended.
How do I know if an older home has lead paint?
To know if an older home has lead paint, you will need to use a lead test kit or hire a certified inspector. If it was built before 1978, it likely contains lead-based paint.
When should I hire a professional exterior painter?
You should hire a professional exterior painter when you want to ensure a high-quality finish that looks sleek, lasts for a long time, and is properly completed.
