“Be sure to take the time to prep,” says Brittany Griffith, assistant product manager of concrete coatings for Valspar. “Most coating failure comes from lack of proper prep.” Indeed, preparation is the bulk of the work, and the more thorough you can be, the better. However, the steps below are not entirely prescriptive—the condition of your porch will determine how much cleaning and repair need to be done before painting. The type of paint you choose will also influence how you apply it. It’s important to read the manufacturer’s instructions for all primers, paints, and cleaners used—before and during the process—to make sure you prep surfaces and apply paint to your porch in the best way. To paint a concrete porch floor, check out these easy-to-follow steps. Otherwise, follow our step-by-step tutorial, below, for instructions on painting a wood porch in a weekend. Before You Begin: If it’s possible your porch was last painted around 1978 or earlier, it may be lead-based paint. To take proper precautions, you should have it tested before beginning any work. For porch railings and posts, Griffith recommends an exterior door and trim paint on top of an exterior latex primer. For floors and stairs, look for paints designated for porch or patio floors. A water-based latex paint is easy to clean, durable, and resists fading. You can also look for latex paints with enhancements, like heat resistance (perfect for sun-drenched porches!) or non-skid additives. Some paints do include a primer, though, so check the can to confirm before you decide to prime. When choosing paint for your porch, think about how you use your outdoor space, too. Lighter colors reflect heat and will feel cooler than dark colors, while a non-glossy shine might have more grip when the surface is wet. For best results, you need a surface that’s clean and lacks peeling paint, splinters, and rough patches. Begin by clearing away surface dirt and debris with a broom, vacuum, or power washer. If powerwashing your porch, be sure to start with a low-pressure setting; a spray that’s too powerful can damage the wood. Even if you’re just painting a porch floor, cleaning around the bottom of the railings and the home’s exterior will give you the clean surface needed for applying painters tape. Many paints recommend washing the intended surface with a TSP solution to remove grease and stains as part of the preparation. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning with TSP, including wearing protective eyewear and gloves. For porches with a lot of existing paint in good condition, sanding will help take off the finish and allow the surface to better receive paint. Use protective eyewear when removing paint and sanding. For bare and painted wood, remove splinters and take care of loose nails. Fill gouges and cracks with filler, then sand to prep it for paint. For separations between porch rails, spindles, and flooring, fill the gap with caulk. This filling will give the paint coating more evenness and consistency when complete. Griffith also recommends sanding down any rough edges. When you’re done, it’s a good idea to vacuum or wipe the surface down again to remove any debris left from sanding. Let dry before priming your porch. Apply primer and paint per manufacturer’s instructions. Use a premium polyester paint brush for the railing, around the perimeter, between floorboards, the stairs, and for any spots that need a little extra attention. For the rest of the porch floor, use a roller brush on an extension pole. Valspar recommends a roller with 1/4- or 3/8-inch nap for porches, but the texture of the floor might influence your choice (the smoother the surface, the smaller the nap needed). Griffith recommends a second coat for best results. Allow adequate time to dry between coats, and again before moving furniture and decor back onto the porch.
