How to Repaint Over Exterior Acrylic Stain
- 1). Pressure-wash the outside of your home with clean water if you live in a coastal area; this will sluice away any embedded salt and remove loose chalky film from the surface.
- 2). Go over the entire surface with a stiff wire brush and going with the grain. If you use a rotary powered brush, apply minimum pressure and keep the tool moving at all times to prevent gouging the wood. With cedar shakes, use vertical strokes and a handheld brush; this is hard work, but it will break surface gloss and remove any hard, brittle particles likely to prevent proper adhesion.
- 3). Spray, roll, or brush your house with two coats of acrylic latex stain-blocking primer. Allow adequate drying time between coats as directed on the instructions printed on the can.
- 4). Finish your home with a coat of top-of-the-line acrylic latex paint for the most durable results. Follow the printed directions and stick to the same method used when applying the primer. Acrylic latex paint will withstand the harshest environment, protect the surface from direct sunshine, and provide a long-lasting moisture barrier against rain or snow.
