Exterior Painting in Dunwoody, GA

Walk into a paint store and the choices multiply fast: several primers, multiple product lines, four or five sheens and a wall of caulk tubes. For exterior painting in Dunwoody, picking the right combination matters more than picking the most expensive can, because each product has to suit the surface it goes on and the coating beneath it.

The plain-language guide below starts with the paint that is failing now, because that is where product choice begins.

Reading the peeling paint first

Product choice starts with the failure you are fixing. When paint peels down to bare wood, the cause is usually moisture or a surface that was never properly primed. When the top layer peels away from an older layer of paint, it often went on over dirt, chalk or a glossy oil finish without proper preparation.

Each points to a different fix. Moisture-related peeling needs the water source dealt with and bare wood primed, while layer-to-layer peeling calls for cleaning, sanding and a bonding primer before the new coat.

Primers and topcoats

Primers solve specific problems. A bonding primer helps new paint grip glossy or oil-based surfaces, a stain-blocking primer stops tannins and water stains from bleeding through, a rust-inhibiting primer protects bare steel, and a masonry primer handles the alkalinity of brick, stucco and concrete. Many repaints need only spot priming, but chalky or heavily weathered surfaces may need a full coat.

For topcoats, a 100 percent acrylic exterior paint is widely used on siding and trim because it stays flexible and resists fading. Elastomeric coatings are thicker and stretch over hairline cracks in masonry and stucco, but they are not usually suited to wood lap siding.

A quick guide to sheen

• Flat or matte: hides surface flaws on siding, but holds dirt more readily.
• Satin or low-luster: a common choice for siding and trim, easier to clean while still forgiving.
• Semi-gloss: crisp and washable on trim, doors and shutters, but shows every dent and patch.
• Gloss: mainly for front doors and accents where a high shine is the goal.

Whichever sheens you choose, write them down surface by surface so the cans that arrive match the plan.

Caulk around mildew and metal

Caulk type affects how long joints stay sealed. Exterior trim needs a flexible, paintable sealant, since interior-grade caulk shrinks and cracks outdoors. Silicone sealants resist water well, but most standard silicone does not accept paint, so it is generally avoided where the joint will be painted.

Before any caulk goes in, mildew on old joints and the siding next to them is cleaned off and the area dried, and rust on any metal at the joint is removed and primed. A bead applied over mildew or rust tends to fail early.

Repairs, access and color placement in sequence

Wood repair and caulking come before paint: rotted trim is replaced or consolidated, new wood is primed, and then joints are sealed. The access plan determines how each wall is reached, from extension ladders on single-story walls to lifts or roof-safe setups where walls rise above lower roofs.

Color placement guides the painting order. Body color usually goes on first, then trim, then accent pieces such as the front door or shutters, working from the top of each wall down. Before the equipment is moved for the last time, the high areas are inspected for full coverage.

Dunwoody permit office

Dunwoody is in DeKalb County. If the job goes past paint into structural repairs or plumbing or electrical changes, the city’s Community Development (Permits & Inspections) office can tell you whether that work needs a permit. If the inside of the house is due for fresh paint too, our Dunwoody interior painting page covers that work.

Questions about paint products for Dunwoody homes

Is a more expensive exterior paint worth it?

Higher-priced lines often contain more solids and better resins, which can mean better coverage, adhesion and fade resistance. But no paint makes up for poor preparation. A mid-range product on a well-prepared surface usually outlasts a costly one applied over chalk, mildew or loose paint. Compare the product data sheets, and spend first on preparation and repairs.

What is the difference between primer and paint-and-primer products?

A dedicated primer is formulated for adhesion, sealing or stain blocking, and it is chosen for a specific surface problem. Products sold as paint and primer in one are topcoats that cover well and may self-prime some previously painted surfaces. Bare wood, rusted metal, glossy oil paint and stained areas usually still need a dedicated primer underneath.

Can elastomeric paint be used on wood siding?

Generally it is not recommended for wood lap siding. Elastomeric coatings form a thick, stretchy film suited to masonry and stucco, where they bridge hairline cracks. On wood, that heavy film can trap moisture and keep the siding from drying out, which can lead to peeling. A flexible acrylic exterior paint is the usual choice for wood.

Get products matched to your house

Call 404-409-4448 and we will set a time to walk around the outside of your house with you. We will look at the surfaces, suggest products suited to each one and list them in a written estimate.