How to Paint Your Front Porch

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Painting your front porch can make your whole home look better. A new coat of paint freshens things up and brings a clean, bright look to your home. By preparing your work area, using the right tools, and waiting for paint and primer to dry in between coats, you can create a professional-looking paint job on your front porch.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Preparing the Painting Area

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  1. Before painting, you’ll need to remove everything from the porch. If you have important things nearby like potted plants, outdoor furniture, or grills, you should cover them with a drop cloth to protect them from the paint. [1]
  2. Sweep your front porch with a broom to get rid of dirt and dust. Try to get as much dirt out of the cracks between the boards as possible.
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  3. [2] A high pressure garden hose or power washer works great for spraying down your porch with water. This should remove any remaining dirt and debris so you can have a clean surface on which to paint. [3]
    • For a concrete porch, scrub it thoroughly with a scrub brush, water, and a concrete cleaning chemical. Be sure to wear the appropriate protective gear to avoid dangerous contact with the chemical. [4]
    • Since wood is a porous surface, you want to wait for your porch to dry completely before attempting to paint. It can take up to 24 hours, especially in humid climates. [5]
  4. If your porch is covered with old paint, you’ll need to remove that before applying a new coat. [6] Use an orbital sander to sand the old paint off the surface of the porch. You can also use paint scrapers to get some of the old paint off. [7]
    • Wear a respirator when operating the sander to protect your lungs from debris.
    • When you’re done sanding, clean up the dust and sand with a broom or vacuum so the porch is clean and smooth.
  5. Use painter’s tape to cover any places where do you not want the paint to touch. This should include where your porch touches your home. [8]
    • Use caution and a moderate amount of paint when painting near the taped areas so as not to get the paint underneath the tape.
  6. If you’re working on a concrete porch that has never been painted, you’ll need to etch it with a 5-10% Muriatic acid and water solution to help the primer and the paint adhere to the concrete. Dilute the muriatic acid with water per the bottle’s instructions. [9]
    • Use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the Muriatic acid solution onto the porch. Let the acid sit on the concrete until it stops bubbling. [10]
    • Muriatic acid can cause severe burns and lung damage. Make sure you wear goggles, rubber gloves and boots, and read the safety instructions thoroughly before using this chemical.
  7. Thoroughly wash the acid solution off the concrete with a pressure washer. Once it has dried, vacuum up the remaining powder created by the acid so that the primer and paint will adhere correctly to the concrete. [11]
    • The finished etching should give the concrete the texture of #1 or #2 sandpaper.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Priming and Painting Your Porch

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  1. Use paint rollers to cover your porch with exterior primer. Start on the far end of the porch so you won’t walk on wet paint. Work from one end of the porch to the other until the entire porch is covered with a smooth, even coat. [12]
    • Use a paint brush to prime cracks or tight spaces.
    • Watch out for falling leaves or bugs that could stick to the wet primer.
    • Primer helps the paint stick to the surface of your porch.
  2. Drying time depends on which type of primer you’re using, but plan on waiting between 1 and 8 hours. Once you’ve waited the entire drying time, it’s time to apply a second coat of exterior primer in the same manner that you applied the first. [13]
  3. It’s crucial to allow the primer to dry completely so that your paint will last longer. Using a paint that’s specifically made for outdoor porches or floors, use paint rollers on extension poles to apply an even coat of paint to your porch. As with the primer, you can use a brush to paint hard-to-reach spots.
    • Paint made specifically for floors or porches will stand up better to wear and tear than other paints. [14] Some paint designed for porches contains grit for added traction.
    • Make sure you choose a paint that’s tailored to either wood or concrete.
    • Dark colors generally hide chips and stains easier than light-colored paint. Consider what kind of use your porch will get when choosing a color. Use darker colors of heavy-use areas.
  4. Let the first coat of paint dry completely before starting the second coat. Depending on what type of paint you’re using, this could take up to 8 hours. Once the drying is complete, apply a second coat of paint just as you did the first. [15]
  5. Once your second coat of paint is completely dry, apply a final layer of sealant to help prevent water from seeping through the paint and ruining the paint job. [16]
    • This will also protect your concrete porch from sun damage.
  6. Waiting will ensure that you don’t walk on paint that is still tacky. Once your 2 days are up, you can replace your outdoor furniture and walk on the porch all you like!
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you paint with stain?
    Crystal Chadwick
    Licensed General Contractor
    Crystal Chadwick is a Licensed General Contractor and the Owner of Yin & Yang Construction out of Salt Lake City, Utah. With over 16 years of experience in the construction industry, she specializes in remodels, repairs, and handyman services. Crystal leads her team with vision and a detail-oriented approach, allowing them to provide quality work and design to their clients.
    Crystal Chadwick
    Licensed General Contractor
    Expert Answer
    Brush over the edges of your porch first. Then, roll the stain with the direction of the wood grain. For optimal coverage and durability, apply 2 good coats of stain.
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  • Question
    How do I prepare my front porch if I'm painting it with stain?
    Crystal Chadwick
    Licensed General Contractor
    Crystal Chadwick is a Licensed General Contractor and the Owner of Yin & Yang Construction out of Salt Lake City, Utah. With over 16 years of experience in the construction industry, she specializes in remodels, repairs, and handyman services. Crystal leads her team with vision and a detail-oriented approach, allowing them to provide quality work and design to their clients.
    Crystal Chadwick
    Licensed General Contractor
    Expert Answer
    If you're using a solid color stain, sand down to the bare wood with heavy grit sandpaper (60-80 grit). Then, use finer sandpaper after that, like 100-120 grit.
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  • Question
    What are a few colors that work for an outdoor wooden porch?
    Jack Pierce_26
    Community Answer
    Good color combos for wood are: 1. Black, and any bright color, like mint or white. 2. Straight colors, not combos, or 3. make your own!
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      Things You’ll Need

      Wood Porch

      • Paint rollers
      • Extension poles
      • Paintbrushes
      • Exterior primer
      • Paint made for floors or porches
      • Painter’s tape
      • Drop cloths
      • Broom or vacuum
      • Hose or power washer
      • Orbital sander and sandpaper
      • Paint scrapers

      Concrete Porch

      • Broom
      • Scrub brush
      • Vacuum
      • Water
      • Pressure washer
      • Concrete cleaner
      • Muriatic acid
      • Goggles
      • Breathing mask
      • Gloves
      • Protective clothing
      • Concrete sealant
      • Paint roller pan
      • Paint rollers
      • Concrete paint
      • Paint brush
      • Painter’s tape
      • Drop cloths

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/how-to-paint-a-porch-in-one-day.html
      2. ↑ Crystal Chadwick. Licensed General Contractor. Expert Interview. 16 March 2021.
      3. ↑ https://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/how-to-paint-a-porch-in-one-day.html
      4. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-concrete/
      5. ↑ http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/exteriors/tips-for-painting-your-deck/
      6. ↑ Crystal Chadwick. Licensed General Contractor. Expert Interview. 16 March 2021.
      7. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/painting/tips/painting-preparation-making-paint-last-prepare-the-surface/view-all/
      8. ↑ https://www.younghouselove.com/how-to-paint-a-wood-deck-or-front-porch/
      9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/muriatic-acid/
      1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/muriatic-acid/
      2. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/muriatic-acid/
      3. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/painting/painting-how-to-choose-and-use-primers/view-all/
      4. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/painting/painting-how-to-choose-and-use-primers/view-all/
      5. ↑ https://www.younghouselove.com/how-to-paint-a-wood-deck-or-front-porch/
      6. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/painting/painting-how-to-choose-and-use-primers/view-all/
      7. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/painting/painting-how-to-choose-and-use-primers/view-all/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To paint your front porch, you'll need to sand and prime it first so the paint sticks. Use a couple of coats of exterior primer, leaving it to dry for a few hours between coats. After the second coat dries, apply your paint of choice. It’s best to use a paint made specifically for floors or porches, which will stand up to more wear and tear than normal paint. You’ll want 2 or 3 coats to bring the color of the paint out. Remember to wait a couple of days before walking on the porch so the paint can dry properly. For more tips, including how to paint on a concrete porch, read on!

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