Having issues getting primer/paint to adhere to old wooden lap siding?

Well guess what? You’re not alone.
Sometimes the answer is outside the box; and I must add that this topic has trapped many folks in a never-ending cycle of re-painting their homes way too often. My heart goes out to them.

The first “go-to’s” people may come across when searching the internet for an answer; Some will say –

• “It could be insufficient preparation.” Don’t feel bad. Life is all about learning, right?
• “Maybe it’s poor adhesion due to dust” or mistakenly using acrylic latex paints over oil-based alkyds. “Be sure to read the entire label.”
• How about moisture, either soaking in from un caulked butted end seams and adjacent trim boards? Or maybe moisture trying to escape from inside? 
• Excessive build-up of coats? Least likely. After all, you have been trying to get the paint to stay put for longer that two years and you probably scrapped and sanded until you were certain that the primer will stick.

Before you spend any more time delving into the many choices in moisture meters or chasing down some missed caulking, stop and look at the old paint.

WAIT… Did you check the paint to see if it contains lead? First, please take the time and educate yourself of the dangers of lead paint by clicking here

Once you can confidently and safely begin the task of restoring your old siding and trim, take a piece of the peeling paint; turn it over and take a close look at  its back side.  Do you see the latest primer coat that you or someone else placed there? 

What else do you see? Wood fibers?

If so, you’ll have to ask yourself a question; Do I want to replace all this old siding and trim, or do I want to restore it, leaving the old character of the home secure?

There comes a time that wood becomes so dried out that it can no longer maintain the fibers that makes it up to be siding, or trim.

If you decide to replace the siding and trim with new, be sure to air seal and add insulation when possible. And for those who’d rather preserve the “old” look? Keep reading…

———————THE ANSWER———————-

Fortunately science and chemistry has made much progress in the paint industry. The solution to keep your paint on the wall is a product known as “wood hardener”.

There are a few companies you’ll find out there that are selling your solution in a bottle. Any will fit the bill, but some may blow the budget. Shop wisely my friend. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label of choice and once applied and dry, feel free to prime away with the knowledge that your paint will finally stay.

Let me know how it works for you and thank you for reading.