Is the paint on your your HardiePlank® fading?
One of the more common siding products here in the Seattle area is concrete board siding, either that made by the James Hardie company or a hand full of others. Generically known as HardiePlank®, it is a tough durable siding that holds up amazingly well to the wet Northwest weather. But I am seeing one consistent problem, and that is with how it was finished, people have not been painting HardiePlank® Correctly!
Back during the big building boom of the early 2000′s, lot of homes were put up and painted at production speed. This means that certain corners were cut, and in particular, at least for us, was how builders were painting HardiePlank®. The result of which is what we are seeing in that many of these homes have ‘paint’ that is fading or chalking up badly.
You must paint HardiePlank® with the right product!
After some discussion with our painters, looking at the cans left behind for homeowners and doing research with the James Hardie people, I think I have the answer. To save time, money and make things easier, a lot of builders were painting Hardieplank with a solid body STAIN! This means that it will look great for a short time, but then (as best we can figure) start fading into the boards and chalking up.
This is a case of being cheap causing problems down the road.
Properly Painting HardiePlank® siding!
Proper preparation and using the right products to paint your concrete board siding is, like with any paint job, the key to a quality finished product. The tendency is to skimp on this step because it adds cost, but it is essential to having a good paint job on your home!
Cleaning – Before painting your home should be cleaned with a good old fashioned brush or low pressure spray. Using a power washer on HardiePlank® can damage it! From the James-Hardie website we get this warning:
If a pressure washer is to be used, use wide fan tips only, at low pressures under 1,500 psi and at safe distances. Keep fan nozzle no closer than 6′ to wall. Exercise extreme caution. Improper use could lead to damage of the surface and in-turn, a loss of warranty coverage.
Priming – Depending on what condition your siding is in, it may require a primer coat first. This help to ensure a solid bond between any paint that is applied and your siding. Skipping this step may lead to peeling or other failures down the road.
Painting – Virtually all the major manufacturers have products that will work well for painting HardiePlank®, but the key is application. In most cases, it is recommended that 1 or 2 coats be sprayed on then back rolled for proper adhesion.
Does your HardiePlank® siding need painting?
Take a look at your siding. Is it fading? Is the surface chalky? Then you should get your home professionally repainted. If you are in the Seattle area you can have our crews that are experts at painting HardiePlank® take care of it for you.
HardiePlank® Painters
425-320-3353
In other areas, interview several painters and ask them what they recommend be done to your home’s exterior. If they start talking about pressure washing your home and using stains or oil based paints you will know that they are not the painters for you!
