Advice for Exterior Paint in Florida?

18 years ago

Hello, I usually am on the gardening (or pool!) forums, but have spent the morning searching the home forums about exterior paints. We are getting ready to paint the exterior and want to be sure to get a paint that will last in the Florida sun.

After reading Michael_H's posts, I'm leaning toward SW Duration (the self-priming / mildew inhibitor part sounds pretty good). There is a SW store nearby, which I hope to check out soon. I believe there our Home Depot also sells Glidden Endurance, which you guys seem to rate pretty high.

However, I would appreciate any additional input anyone has with exterior paints lasting in Florida. Or, the application of paint in Florida. It's in the 60's today and, after reading posts here, it sounds like I better get moving on this project before the heat and summer storms move in.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.

P.S. Is powerwashing with water only a good enough prep - or should I use a cleaning solution (what?)?

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last_mango
Original Author

18 years ago

Hey, now those folks are in the same town as me! Ha. (But I had never heard of them before.) Guess they don't call it the "Space Coast" for nothing. I'll have to look them up - it would be fun to say that we are using shuttle technology on our house...

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Comments (8)

User
18 years ago
Surface preparation is fully as important as the paint. I actually think prep is more important.

Clean the surface---no dirt/crud, no peeling/loose paint, no old mildew/mold, and get off all the chemicals/dust from preparation.

I have not used any of the self priming paints---I learned from pros before that stuff came out. But all the painting I have ever done that lasted was done over primer.And I use Glidden and Sherwin Williams paint most of the time.

Applying exterior paint is best done in shade/partial shade or less than 75 degree weather if you are rolling/brushing it on----much easier to keep a wet edge. Spraying can be done almost any time----the hotter/sunnier it is, the faster the sprayer must move---again wet edge.

The reason for the wet edge is to eliminate roller/brush/dry spray lines---that way the paint is blended from area to area.
mikie_gw
18 years ago
Maybe try some of the ceramic insulating beads - then let us know if they work.

Here is a link that might be useful: House Paint Additives, Insulation in a can !
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dboese
18 years ago
Check out the web site for Color Wheel paints. They are paints that are especially made for the Florida climate. We have used both interior and exterior Color Wheel paints and they are great. I am in the Orlando area and they have quite a few stores here.
Michael
18 years ago
powerwashing is for concrete, not a house. Wash it with a cleaning solution, JoMax or other comparable product and rinse it with your garden hose.

Michael
last_mango
Original Author
18 years ago
Hello. Thanks for everyone's advice!

We did the "tour of paint stores" today, including the Hy-Tech Thermal place, the ICI (Fortis and Duluxe) store, M.A.B (they were close) and the Color Wheel store. I think we'll be going with color wheel - seems like they're most suited to our climate and the local contractors recommend them. We only brought home a few quarts to try on our back wall. Getting in to the real painting next weekend.

The termal solutions ceramic stuff was interesting, but it would take a lot of paint to cover - very thick coating when you're done. We may use it as an undercoat on our west-facing wall.

Thanks again - on to cleaning and prepping!
jerzeegirl
18 years ago
My painter swears by (and will use only) Scott Paint. Here is the link to the company's web site. This company's paint is formulated for Florida weather conditions. I have Scott Paint on all of my interior and on some of my exterior and I can tell you it really holds up. Hope this helps.

Here is a link that might be useful: Scott Paint
perryrip
18 years ago
Last Mango,

You may want to read this entry on exterior paint ratings done by Consumer Reports. Best value for the money seems to be Spred Dura by ICI(Glidden) and you can't buy this same paint in Home Depot. It's only available in ICI stores.

Â Posted by: AKAsTJ_Northern_CA (My Page) on Wed, Sep 28, 05 at 10:19
As a reference point, Consumer Reports reviewed exterior paints in their June, 2005 edition.
The first three brands received an Excellent rating for Appearance after 9 years. All others, except Dunn-Edwards Permashell, rated Very Good after 9 years:
FULLY TESTED
1 California Fresh Coat Velvet (flat) $27
2 Glidden Endurance (semigloss) 32
3 Pratt & Lambert Accolade Eggshell (flat) 35
4 Glidden Endurance Satin (low luster) 30
5 Glidden Spred-Dura (gloss) CR Best Buy 20
6 Glidden Spred-Dura Satin (low luster) CR Best Buy 19
7 M.A. Bruder Sea Shore (flat) 25
8 Sico Supreme (flat) C35 (Canadian)
9 Glidden Endurance (flat) 19
10 Pratt & Lambert Accolade (semigloss) 39
11 Glidden Spred-Dura (flat) CR Best Buy 15
12 Para Ultra Velvet (flat) C34 (Canadian)
13 Dunn-Edwards Permashell Eggshell (low luster) 39
Kelly Moore Acry-Lustre (semigloss) is the only KM paint noted in the review and it only appears in their "Initially Promising" brands with a Very Good rating after 3 years...
TJ

Glidden Spred -DuraÂ: Exterior Latex Satin
A durable 100% acrylic house paint that highlights siding and trim, and provides lasting protection for your home. Restores luster to old aluminum siding.
Â Ideal for wood, aluminum siding and vinyl
Â Gives a mildew-resistant coating
Â Provides a durable, tough finish
Â Exceptional color retention

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