Fascia Painting vs Cleaning: Why Cleaning First is Non-Negotiable

You want your home to look good. You may want to paint the trim. But should you clean it first? This is a key question. We hear it all the time.

This choice is a big deal. The right answer means your paint job will last. The wrong answer means a big mess next year. We have worked for many years. We have seen people try both ways. But only one way works. This guide will show you what to do first.

Why You Must Clean First

Think of it this way. You would not paint a dusty table. The same is true for your house. Paint needs to stick to the board. It can not stick to a layer of dirt.

So, do you need to clean first? Yes. You must clean the boards. Here are things our team looks for.

• Dirt, Dust, and Webs: Dirt and dust build up on all walls. Paint on dirt will feel rough. It will not stick well.
• Algae, Mould, and Mildew: Green and black stains are a big problem. Do not paint over mould. It will not die. It will grow right through the new paint.
• Chalking: Old paint can turn to dust. Wipe it with your hand. If dust comes off, it is chalking. New paint will not stick to dust.
• Grease and Dirt from Cars: Homes near roads get greasy. Paint does not stick to grease.

A good clean takes off all this stuff. It makes a clean, strong base for the new paint.

What Happens if You Do Not Clean?

We see many bad paint jobs. They fail in one year. Why? The boards were not clean. Not cleaning leads to a few key problems.

• Peeling and Flaking: New paint will peel off in big sheets. It stuck to the dirt, not the house.
• Bubbling and Blistering: If you paint over a wet spot, water gets trapped. The sun heats it up. It makes bubbles in your new paint. The bubbles pop and peel.
• Uneven and Gritty Finish: The paint job will look bad. You will see the grit from the dirt. It will not be smooth.
• Mould Growing Through the New Paint: Painting on mould is a bad idea. The mould is still there. It will eat the new paint. Then it grows right through it.

So you will have to do the job all over. You will have to strip the new paint off. This costs a lot of time and cash.

How to Get Boards Ready for Paint

Fixing house boards is mostly prep work. The paint part is easy. Here are the key steps to paint boards the right way.

Step 1: The Deep Clean

This is the most key step. You need a very clean board.

• How to Clean Boards: We use a soft wash. A big mistake is to use a strong power wash. It can harm wood. It can push water where it should not go. Washing by hand with a good soap is also fine.
• How to Treat Green Growth: A simple wash may not kill mould. You must use a mould-kill wash. This makes sure all the bad stuff is gone.

Step 2: Scrape and Sand

When the boards are clean and dry, look for loose paint.

• Use a good paint scraper. Take off all the loose bits of paint.
• Use sand paper to make the edges smooth. This stops you from seeing the old paint lines.
• Sand the whole board just a bit. This helps the new paint stick well.

Step 3: Repair

Look for small holes or cracks. Use a good wood filler to fill them. The filler should bend with the wood. Sand it smooth when it is dry.

How Long to Wait to Paint

You have to wait. This is a key step. You cleaned the boards. Now how long do you wait? The board must be all the way dry. Not just dry on top.

If you paint on a wet board, you will get bubbles. This is the top cause of paint bubbles we see.

• What We Tell You to Do: We have a rule. We wait at least two full days. The weather must be warm and dry.
• Watch the Weather: If it is cool or wet, wait more. For old wood boards, wait three days. It is key to wait. The paint job will last if you do.

Conclusion: Clean First. Then Paint.

So, what should you do first? Clean or paint? Our view is clear. You must clean first. Good prep work is the key to a good paint job. It will look great for many years.

The hard part is the cleaning. You need a very clean board. Make sure it is clean before you buy paint.

Our professional Essex Fascia & Soffit Cleaning service is made to do this. We use special tools. We use good soaps to clean all the dirt and mould. This gives you the best board to start painting.

Let us do the hard part. Call us today. We can tell you how we get your house ready.