Exterior House Painting in San Diego

What's included in an exterior paint job

Every exterior we paint follows the same basic sequence. The details change with the house, and the proposal spells out exactly what we'll do on yours.

• Pressure washing to remove dirt, chalking paint and salt residue
• Scraping and sanding loose or peeling paint, and feathering the edges
• Stucco crack repair and patching, with texture matched to the wall
• Replacing rotted trim, fascia, siding or shingles where needed
• Caulking gaps around windows, doors and trim
• Spot-priming bare wood, metal and patches with the right primer
• Masking windows, fixtures and roofs, and covering plants and walkways
• Two finish coats on body and trim (more for big color changes)
• Doors, gutters, railings and garage doors as listed in your proposal
• Daily cleanup and a final walkthrough with you

Surfaces we paint

Stucco

Most San Diego homes are stucco, and stucco has its own rules. Hairline cracks get bridged with elastomeric patch, larger cracks get opened and patched, and the patch texture gets matched so it doesn't show through the new paint. On walls with recurring cracks we often recommend an elastomeric coating. See stucco painting and elastomeric coatings.

Wood siding, shingles and trim

Wood moves, takes on moisture and fails first on the sunny side of the house. We scrape to sound paint, replace what's rotted, prime bare wood, and caulk joints so water stays out. Cedar shingles and older lap siding are common in Coronado, Point Loma and Mission Hills, and they need extra prep for even coverage.

Doors, railings and metal

Front doors get a smooth, durable finish. Wrought iron and metal railings get rust treated and primed with a metal primer before topcoats. Garage doors, gates and gutters are included when they're on the proposal.

Why San Diego exteriors fail early

Paint itself rarely fails on its own. It fails because of what's underneath it or what it's exposed to:

• UV exposure. South and west walls fade and chalk years before the shady side does.
• Salt air and marine layer moisture. Near the coast, bare wood and metal break down fast, and damp mornings can trap moisture under fresh paint if coats are timed badly.
• Unrepaired cracks and rot. Water gets in behind the paint, and the paint blisters and peels from the back side.
• Skipped prep. Paint applied over chalky, dirty or glossy surfaces doesn't bond.

That's why we spend most of our time on prep and repair. It's the part you can't see when the job is done, and it's the part that decides whether the paint lasts four years or ten.

Paint and color

We use premium exterior lines from manufacturers like Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore, matched to the surface: elastomeric or masonry products for stucco, high-adhesion primers for bare wood and metal, and durable satin or semi-gloss finishes for trim and doors. A free color consultation is included, and we'll brush out samples on your actual walls so you can see them in your light before you decide.