Exterior paint in Central Florida faces a harder life than almost anywhere else in the country. Intense sun, summer storms nearly every afternoon and humidity that rarely lets up all work against your home’s finish.
What the weather does to paint
- Sunlight breaks down paint binders, causing fading and a chalky residue you can wipe off with your hand.
- Moisture gets behind paint through cracks and gaps, leading to peeling and blistering.
- Humidity and shade encourage mildew and algae, especially on north-facing walls.
- Stucco expands and contracts with heat, which can open hairline cracks.
Signs it is time to repaint
Look closely at your walls on a sunny day. Fading on the sunniest sides, chalking, peeling around windows and doors, or dark streaks of mildew are all signs your coating is no longer protecting the surface underneath.
How to make a paint job last longer
The paint itself matters, but preparation matters more. A long-lasting exterior job usually includes:
- Pressure washing to remove dirt, chalk and mildew
- Repairing stucco cracks with an elastomeric patch or sealant
- Caulking gaps around windows, doors and trim
- Priming bare or repaired areas
- Two coats of a high-quality exterior acrylic made for hot, humid climates
Lighter colors can help
Lighter colors reflect more heat and tend to show fading less. If you love a deep color, ask your painter about products with better UV resistance.
Plan around the weather
Afternoon storms are common much of the year, so many painters start early and schedule exteriors during the drier months from late fall through spring. A local painter who works in Florida every day will know how to plan around it.
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