Painting a weatherboard house in Melbourne’s east

Weatherboard homes are everywhere from Bayswater North out to Mooroolbark and The Basin. They are also the most common exterior repaint we quote, and the one where shortcuts show fastest.

The boards move with heat and damp. Paint that was rolled straight over old, chalky or flaking coats loses its grip within a couple of seasons, usually on the north and west faces that get the afternoon sun.

A proper job starts with a wash to remove chalk and mould, then scraping and sanding any loose paint back to a firm edge. Bare timber gets a primer. Gaps at joins, around windows and under sills are re-caulked so water cannot get behind the boards. Only then do two coats of a good exterior acrylic go on.

Timing matters in the east. Autumn and spring give the best conditions: mild, dry days and no frost overnight. Summer heat can dry paint too fast on hot boards, and winter damp slows curing on shaded sides.

If you are getting quotes, ask what preparation is included and whether it is itemised. If it is not written down, it is not part of the job.