Obtain the Best Appearance

In Consumer Tips and Information Pages
When Painting New Fiber Cement SidingAs an engineered masonry material, exterior fiber cement siding offers exceptional stability, durability and strength. On this surface, a quality paint job will potentially stand up years longer than can be expected with even top quality wood siding. These guidelines will help you achieve the best appearance, maximum durability and the longest repaint cycle.1.Surface PreparationDepending on storage conditions and duration and time lapse following installation, the siding material may accumulate dirt or mildew and may exhibit efflorescence.Treat any mildew with a 3:1 water: bleach solution, leave on for 20 minutes and rinseRemove any dirt by scrubbing (detergent and water; rinse) or by power washing (water only); remove efflorescence by careful hand wire brushing; clean off residue2.PrimingFiber cement siding may be factory primed. While this priming is helpful in keeping moisture, dirt and mildew from penetrating the material during shipment and storage, there may be areas of the facing that are not uniformly and completely sealed. Accordingly, whether factory primed or not, for best performance:Apply a quality exterior latex primer recommended for use on masonry. This will ensure:Minimized chance of efflorescence undermining or penetrating the finish coatUniformity of sheen development, particularly with satin and semi-gloss finishesUniformity of color, particularly critical with darker colors viewed at a low angleBest resistance of mildew growthAdhesion of the finish coat3.PaintingTop quality exterior 100% acrylic house paints are excellent for fiber cement siding.A satin finish will provide a rich, crisp appearance and will accentuate any texture or embossing in the sidingA flat finish will provide the best sheen uniformity in the event there is an unevenness or repairs made in the sidingApply by airless spray for maximum uniformityApply at 1.5 to 1.7 dry mils per coat; one coat for normal applications, two for maximum durabilityDiscontinue application by mid-afternoon to minimize chance of surfactant leaching