Good exterior primer and paint

[Northlander]

Im looking for the best exterior primer and paint to put on my house. I have cedar siding and it doesnt seem to want to hold primer/paint more than 3 years. Im getting sick of stripping and painting all the time. I know I should side it but right now dont have the $ to do it.

So whats the Pros favorite/best primers and paints?

[Whoaru99]

I don't know about best, but I was going to use Zinsser Cover-Stain oil-based primer on my habitually peeling cedar siding. However, I've decided I don't want to take a chance again and am going to have it replaced with steel siding. Higher initial outlay for sure but scraping a house down to bare wood, maybe all for naught in a few more years, ain't my idea of a good way to spend my free time.

[Gordie]

I would go with a good Like Sherwin Willams oil based primer then you should be able to put just about any thing on that you want.

You gotta have something like a oil base to get a good bite on the stained ceader for the paint to get good adheasion.

I like Sherwin Willaims stuff the primer is called exterior Oil based wood primer then I would paint it with Sherwin paint called Duration

[cavalierowner]

When I was writing specifications for the architectural firm I worked for, Sherwin Williams was the standard of quality in my specs. I would recommend you call S-W's help line 1-800-474-3794. Generally they may ask you a few specific questions about what you have now, then recommend a paint system. Be sure to ask their opinion (if they don't) on proper preparation of the existing surfaces; that's as important as the kind of paint system you use. If, for some reason, you don't want to use S-W, then go to a paint store to buy paint and ask their opinion. The kind of store that has guys in white clothes and painters trucks outside. What I have been told over the years by manufacturer's reps is that the big box stores may have their paint, but it's many times a lower quality made to compete in that market.

[Northlander]

Ok guys thanks. I still have a few spots open for the prime n paint barbecue.

[cavalierowner]

Is there beer involved?

[Gordie]

PBR

[Steve Foss]

Steve, prep will be key. Is this rough-cut cedar with lots of texture? If so, I'd definitely take a stiff brush and do the whole thing with lots of elbow grease. A wire brush is probably too hard/stiff, and will damage the cedar. Probably just a good stiff plastic bristle scrub brush. If it's cedar clapboard siding (milled smooth to the touch), then actual scraping and a wire brush will be in order. Then an air compressor to blow the dust/grit away. I don't favor pressure washing in this case because it's too easy to get a lot of water up in behind the siding, and also you have the time factor for it to dry.

Then it's important to use brushes at least for the primer, and to work it in really well. The deeper you can work the primer into the grain of the wood, the better it will bind. With the paint itself, a spraying system is fine if you have one available.

We've been very happy with the performance of the S-W products we've used.

[Whoaru99]

The stuff I researched (quite a lot, BTW) suggested that TSP wash is always in order and if there is any dark staining that could be mildew on the bare wood then bleach in with the TSP wash. Not using a pressure washer was mentioned too as potentially too damaging, but still the TSP/bleach scrub and rinse.

[Steve Foss]

The stuff I researched (quite a lot, BTW) suggested that TSP wash is always in order and if there is any dark staining that could be mildew on the bare wood then bleach in with the TSP wash. Not using a pressure washer was mentioned too as potentially too damaging, but still the TSP/bleach scrub and rinse.

That's interesting. I'll have to look into that. We've never used TSP and/or bleach for prepping older wood for priming/painting, only to prep for staining.

[Northlander]

Is there beer involved?

Yup and good food.

Steve Im so sick of hand scraping I just want it over. I really need like 6 guys to come over for a day and just get it done. The priming and painting aint no biggy to me. I have scraped, brushed, sanded and still it dont hold paint worth a shiznit. I think I may have a moisture problem. Thats ok because it will never get painted again. Next time it starts looking bad its getting sided. Anyone know a good resonable sider in Duluth/Superior?

[Gordie]

That's interesting. I'll have to look into that. We've never used TSP and/or bleach for prepping older wood for priming/painting, only to prep for staining.

used bleach to clean just about everything. and Zep makes a great prep wash for wood also.

For the bleach I used a hudson style sprayer and would mix it with water and spray it on.and just let it dry . I also used bleach for cleaning concrete before staining or resealing.Helps take out water stains in ceilings too.

I know that you should never mix bleach and Amonia but I have use amonia to clean grease/oil spills on concrete and decks before also then after those spots were clean I would bleach the whole slab or deck.

[Northlander]

Well I wound up at Sherwin Williams and got their best exterior oil based primer and the best latex paint they had. A few other goodies and I walked out with change from my $400 I had in my pocket. Not much. LOL. All the hard scraping is done now its just primin and paintin Sat and Sun. Anyone who wants to join in on the fun e-mail me. I still have a few brushes without names on them.

[Northlander]

Thanks to those who came over and helped out with my house and enjoyed the BSn and food and drink!

Saturday we got all the priming done and Sunday we painted. Had perfect weather both days and were done by 6 ish both nights to enjoy the barbeque and beverages. I replaced a few bad cedar boards in places but over all it wasnt a bad project at all. Just very time consuming. It would have been weeks if I didnt have help so thanks again everyone for the help.

Also the guys at the local Sherwin Williams were very good to work with. I hope the product holds up better than past products used.