How to Repaint Cedar Soffits
- 1). Plug in a pressure washer to the end of a hose, and attach the other end of the hose to the closest water faucet. Point the nozzle toward the cedar soffit. Turn on the water and spray down the area, removing all paint and debris from the soffit.
- 2). Climb a ladder to inspect the soffit closely. Note any holes, gaps or cracks in the soffit. Squirt wood putty into each of these areas, covering them entirely. When the putty is dry, sand down the soffit, moving the sandpaper in a circular motion, until the soffit is smooth.
- 3). Wipe off any dust and debris left on the soffit. Let the soffit dry from the pressure washing.
- 4). Insert a tube of exterior silicone into a caulk gun, with the nozzle pointed away from the trigger. Cut off the tip of the nozzle. Add a 1/8-inch thin bead of caulk over all of the seams between the soffit pieces.
- 5). Pour a can of exterior primer into a paint tray. Dip a paint roller into the tray. Begin rolling the primer over the surface of the soffit, starting at one end and working toward the other until all of the soffit is covered with primer. Wait 45 minutes for the primer to dry. Sand down the soffit.
- 6). Pour a can of exterior paint into the tray. Paint the soffit in the same fashion that you applied the primer. Let the paint dry for 45 minutes.
- 7). Apply a second coat of paint to the soffit. Inspect it to verify that the soffit is completely painted.
