Exterior paint in a Michigan climate

Paint fails on the south and west walls first. Sun cooks the film. North walls stay damp. Allegan County houses see both.

Prep that survives winter

Wash off chalk. Scrape peeling back to a firm edge. Sand the ridge so the new coat doesn’t leave a scab. Prime bare wood.

Caulk the gaps that take water, not every seam on the house. Some siding needs to drain. Trap water and you made a blister factory.

When to paint

Dry siding, temps that stay in the label’s window overnight, no rain in the forecast. Painting in October can work. Painting ahead of a freeze is a gamble.

We usually roll Behr Marquee exterior. Sheen: flatter on big siding, satin or semi-gloss on trim and doors.