Surface Preparation Comes First
Exterior paint performs only as well as the surface below it. Peeling coating, dirt, loose caulk and deteriorated wood should be addressed before new paint is applied.
Preparation may include cleaning, scraping, sanding and localized repair appropriate to the surface. Painting over rot or water damage can make the exterior look better briefly while leaving the failure in place.
Siding, Trim and Adjacent Surfaces
Exterior painting can involve siding, fascia, trim, doors or other compatible surfaces, and each may need a different preparation and coating system.
Windows, roofing, masonry and gutters create edges that should be protected or treated separately. The scope should identify exactly which surfaces are being painted rather than assume the whole exterior is included.
Touch-Up or Full Repaint?
A small area can sometimes be touched up when the existing coating is sound and the color match is acceptable. Weathered paint can make a local patch visibly different even with the same color formula.
Broader peeling, chalking or color change can justify repainting a larger logical area. Exterior carpentry and rot repair should be completed before the finish coat becomes the final layer.