Touch Up Exterior Paint
Why It Matters
Exposed wood rots quickly. Touching up paint where it is peeling protects the wood underneath and delays costly full repainting.
Quick Guide
- 1
Gather your tools and materials
You'll need: Scraper, Sandpaper, Paintbrush, Ladder. Materials required: Exterior primer, Exterior paint.
- 2
Perform the touch up exterior paint
Scrape, prime, and repaint peeling or chipped areas on trim, doors, and siding before moisture gets behind the paint. Safety note: Use caution on ladders.
- 3
Verify and clean up
Check that the work was completed correctly and clean up your workspace. If multi-story painting or if lead paint is suspected, consider calling a professional.
Tools & Materials
Tools
- Scraper
- Sandpaper
- Paintbrush
- Ladder
Materials
- Exterior primer
- Exterior paint
Community Tips
Sand all glossy surfaces with 120-150 grit sandpaper before priming, as exterior paint will peel within 1-2 seasons if applied over slick finishes; Sherwin-Williams ProClassic ($35-50 per gallon) requires this step for adhesion, even on previously painted surfaces.
Never paint in direct sunlight or temperatures below 50°F or above 85°F, as exterior primer like Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 ($12-18 per gallon) will blister and fail to cure properly, requiring complete removal and reapplication.
Experienced painters use a 2-inch angled brush for trim work instead of foam applicators because bristles hold more paint, reduce lap marks on vertical surfaces, and maintain edge control that prevents color bleeding onto adjacent siding or trim. ---