What better way to make an immediate makeover to your child’s wooden playhouse than with a new paint job? When you’re ready to paint your kid’s playhouse and want it to look exceptional for years to come, there are several things you should definitely do and other things you want to avoid.

The following is a do’s and don’ts of how to expertly paint your wooden playhouse to last for years to come:

1. Prepare your playhouse for painting ahead of time. Prepare your playhouse by gently scraping off any loose, dried or peeling old paint with a putty knife or sander, taking care not to damage the wood underneath.
2. Seal cracks around windows or doors. If there are cracks where two wooden surfaces meet, use caulk to seal the cracks. This will keep moisture out of the playhouse.
3. Use a high-quality primer to paint all surfaces in the wooden playhouse. The use of a primer helps increase the adhesion of paint to wood surfaces, as well as increase the waterproof properties of exposed wood surfaces.
4. Use an exterior grade paint. Exterior grade paint is formulated to withstand the weather that wooden playhouse you will experience in your life. Interior paint does not resist rain and snow. If an interior grade paint is used on surfaces exposed to the exterior, within a few months after painting the paint will begin to peel and peel.
5. Paint with the same type of paint that was used previously. If a water-based paint (latex) was used last, use a water-based paint this time to paint the playhouse. Use an oil-based paint to paint over a previously painted oil-based surface. When in doubt, use a water-based paint because it’s easier to apply, quick-drying, helps prevent moisture problems, and cleaning is easier.
6. Paint from top to bottom. Start with the fascia board and gables first. He then goes on to paint the sides of the playhouse, followed by the windows and trim. The door to the playhouse is the last thing to be painted.
7. Plan your painting around the sun and the weather. Try working your paint around where the sun is not. In the morning, paint the west and south sides and in the afternoon, paint the east and north sides in the afternoon.
8. Do not prime or paint over caulk that has not fully dried. When drying, the wet sealer will crack and peel along with the primer or paint that was just applied.
9. Do not paint over old chipped or peeling paint. Painting over dried or chipped paint with fresh paint will ensure that new paint will come off faster in the near future.
10. Don’t wait to paint new wood. New wood should be painted as soon as possible to avoid deterioration of the surface.

A good exterior paint job will extend the life of your wooden playhouse. With these tips, you are ready to paint like a pro. Your children will be extremely happy that your freshly painted playhouse will last for many years to come.