The Most Common Summer Painting Mistakes Homeowners Make

🖌️ The Most Common Summer Painting Mistakes Homeowners Make

Summer is the most popular season for painting, and for good reason. Dry weather, longer days, and warmer temperatures all create the perfect window for exterior work in Lewis County. But we have also seen it become the season for costly mistakes, especially with DIY jobs.

If you are planning to tackle a project yourself or want to make sure your next paint job holds up, here are the most common mistakes we see during summer and how to avoid them.

1️⃣ Underestimating the Time It Will Take

That weekend painting plan might turn into a two-week project. Between pressure washing, prep, dry time, and the painting itself, exterior jobs are often much bigger than they look.

Here is what a typical professional timeline actually involves:

• One full day for pressure washing

• One to three days for prep (scraping, sanding, caulking, priming)

• Around three days for painting

• More complex homes, especially those with older siding or high-detail trim, can take up to two weeks or more

If you are doing it yourself:
Double whatever time you think you will need. And if you are hiring a pro, expect honest timelines that reflect the reality of the project, not just best-case scenarios.

2️⃣ Ignoring the Forecast 🌦️

Just because it is dry in the morning does not mean the whole day is in the clear. PNW weather has a mind of its own.

Rain, wind, and humidity can all interfere with paint curing and lead to streaks or peeling, even if you started with the best intentions.

Quick tip: Always check the hourly forecast before painting. Day-by-day forecasts are not detailed enough when dry time matters.

3️⃣ Using the Wrong Paint or Primer

Not all paint is made for warm-weather exterior work. Lower-quality products dry too fast, do not self-level, and start to fade faster under UV exposure.

We have seen it throughout Lewis County. Peeling trim after one season, bubbling siding, and chalky finishes that looked great on day one but deteriorated quickly.

What we recommend:

• Use premium exterior paint from a brand that performs well in Pacific Northwest conditions

• Prime any raw or patched areas before painting

• Do not skip prep even if the label says “paint and primer in one”

4️⃣ Skipping Prep Because It Is “Just the Exterior”

This one comes up often. But summer sun reveals every flaw in your prep work.

Dirt, mildew, loose paint, and cracked caulking will all show through, and worse, they can weaken the integrity of your paint job.

What prep really means:

• Soft washing or pressure washing

• Scraping and sanding any problem areas

• Re-caulking gaps

• Spot priming bare wood or previously patched surfaces

Prep may take time, but it is what separates a quick coat from a finish that holds up.

5️⃣ Not Hiring a Pro When It Really Matters

We understand the appeal of doing it yourself. But some projects are bigger than they look.

Tall houses, detailed trim, tricky access, or high temperatures can make the job more stressful than expected.

And once you purchase ladders, brushes, drop cloths, and quality paint, you are often close to the cost of hiring a professional.

If you are unsure:
Reach out. We are happy to give you an honest opinion and help you decide whether to take it on or leave it to a pro.

🎯 Bonus Tip: Painting in Direct Sunlight

This is one of the easiest mistakes to make in summer.

Painting on hot surfaces causes lap marks, flashing, and poor coverage. It might not seem like a big deal until the wall dries uneven and it is too late to fix.

Our best advice:
Follow the shade. Paint the west side in the morning and the east side later in the day. Avoid painting the south side during peak sun hours whenever possible.

👋 Need Advice Before You Start?

We have seen these mistakes all across Lewis County, and we know how to help you avoid them. Whether you are in Centralia, Chehalis, or the surrounding areas, we are happy to offer guidance or give you a quote for early fall availability.

We are fully booked for the rest of summer, but if the weather holds, we may have a few openings this fall. We are also building our list for next year, so if you want to secure a spot, now is the right time to reach out.