Wellington is hard on houses. Wind-driven rain, coastal salt, strong UV and the odd southerly blast all take their toll on exterior paint. A good exterior repaint does two jobs at once: it protects your home from the elements and makes it look its best. Here’s how to get one that actually lasts.
Why Wellington is tough on exterior paint
Our climate is a genuine test. Salt-laden air near the coast, relentless wind, sun on north-facing walls and moisture in the shaded, damp spots all work against paint. That’s why an exterior job done to a mainland-suburb standard can fail early here. The answer isn’t a magic product. It’s thorough preparation and the right system for each surface.
Preparation that makes paint last
On an exterior, prep is everything. A proper job includes:
- Washing the whole surface to strip off dirt, salt, mould and chalky old paint. This is usually done with water blasting or soft washing, depending on the surface. (It’s the same reason pressure washing is the essential first step of any exterior repaint, because paint simply won’t bond to a dirty wall.)
- Scraping and sanding back flaking and loose paint to a sound edge.
- Repairs to timber, fillers and gaps so water can’t get behind the paint.
- Priming bare timber, repairs and any problem areas so the topcoats have something to grip.
Skip these steps and even the best paint will lift within a couple of years. Do them well and you get many years of protection.
The process, step by step
A typical exterior job runs like this: assess the surfaces and plan access; wash and prep; protect plants, paths and windows; apply a quality exterior system in the right conditions; then a final walk-around together to make sure you’re happy. The order matters, because rushing to get colour on before the prep is done is the most common reason a repaint fails.
Choosing the right products and timing
- Use a proper exterior system, not just any outdoor paint. The primer, topcoats and any specialist coatings are designed to work together.
- Match the product to the surface. Weatherboard, plaster, roofing and joinery each have their own needs.
- Time it for the weather. Exterior painting needs dry, settled conditions and surfaces that aren’t too hot or cold. In Wellington that means planning around our changeable weather, which is one more reason a local team who knows the conditions is worth having.
Maintaining your exterior paintwork
A little upkeep dramatically extends the life of a repaint. Give the house a gentle wash once a year to keep salt and grime from building up, especially on the weather side and near the coast. Keep an eye on the spots that cop the most weather and touch up early rather than waiting for a full failure. Clear gutters and trim back plants touching the walls so moisture can’t sit against the paint.
Get it done right the first time
An exterior repaint is a real investment, and the prep is where that investment is protected. Silver Fern Painting has spent 30-plus years painting Wellington homes in every kind of weather: weatherboard villas, plastered exteriors, fences and roofs.
Get a free quote for your exterior, and we’ll give you honest advice on what your place actually needs. Talk to us whenever you’re ready.
