How to Strip and Paint a Porch

If the porch on your home looks unattractive, it can make your entire house look bad. Giving your porch a new paint job can bring new life into your whole house. Before you can paint an old porch, however, you will need to strip the old paint off first, and then apply the fresh paint. You can learn how to strip and paint a porch in a few short steps.

Supplies:

• Paint scraper


• Wood sander


• Detergent


• Bleach


• Primer


• Paint


• Citronella


• Paint Roller

1. Scrape off the old paint on the porch using a paint scraper. Use the paint scraper in only one direction until all of the old paint is removed.


2. Use a power sander to sand the wood on the porch. If you do not have a power sander, you can do it by hand but it will take you much longer. You need to prepare the surface of the porch so the paint will adhere to it.


3. Put some detergent in water in a gallon bucket and wash the porch to remove all dirt and grease from it. If you see mildew on the porch, remove it using bleach and water. Let the porch completely dry for at least 2 days before you start to paint.


4. Apply two coasts of exterior primer to the porch. Allow the first coat to completely dry before you apply the second coat.


5. Apply floor paint to the porch. Make sure you use floor paint, as it is made to uphold under rough conditions. Add a few drops of citronella to the paint, which prevents bugs from getting in the paint as it is drying. Allow the first coat to completely dry, and then apply a second coat.