MICHIGAN EXTERIOR PREP CHECKLIST

Michigan Exterior Prep Checklist for Older Homes | Metro Detroit Painting Guide

Older homes in Michigan face cold winters, hot summers, and constant freeze thaw cycles. Paint failure on these homes usually comes from weak prep, not weak paint. This guide walks you through a clear exterior prep checklist for older homes in Metro Detroit so you can protect siding, trim, and masonry before painting.

Why Exterior Prep Matters More on Older Homes

Homes in areas like Royal Oak, Berkley, Ferndale, Birmingham, and Grosse Pointe often have wood siding, original trim, and layered coatings. These surfaces move, expand, and trap moisture. If prep is rushed, new paint will peel, crack, or blister long before it should.

Good prep does three things:

  • Removes failed coatings and contaminants
  • Protects wood and substrates from moisture
  • Gives primers and topcoats a stable surface to bond to

Step 1: Exterior Inspection Checklist

Start with a full walk around the home. Bring a notepad or digital photos and check these areas:

  • Peeling or flaking paint on siding and trim
  • Soft or rotted wood at window sills, corner boards, and fascia
  • Cracked or missing caulk around windows and doors
  • Water stains under eaves and around gutters
  • Chalking paint on older aluminum or wood siding
  • Hairline cracks in stucco or masonry
  • Loose railings, columns, or porch details

Mark every area that needs scraping, repair, or replacement. This inspection step sets the scope for the entire project.

Step 2: Lead Safe Planning for Pre 1978 Homes

Many older homes in Metro Detroit were built before 1978. These homes may have lead based paint on trim, siding, or windows. Lead safe practices protect residents, neighbors, and workers.

For pre 1978 homes:

  • Assume lead is present unless tests say otherwise
  • Avoid dry sanding and open flame removal
  • Use containment to keep chips and dust off soil and walkways
  • Clean work areas with HEPA filtration methods

Follow current lead safety guidelines or hire an EPA RRP certified contractor for this work.

Step 3: Washing and Surface Cleaning

Michigan homes collect mildew, dirt, and road film. If these stay under new paint, adhesion fails.

Before any scraping:

  • Wash siding and trim to remove dirt and mildew
  • Use appropriate cleaners for mildew prone areas on the north side of the home
  • Rinse thoroughly and allow surfaces to dry

Do not trap excess moisture under new coatings, especially in early spring and late fall.

Step 4: Scraping and Mechanical Prep

Once surfaces are clean and dry, remove loose paint and failed coatings.

  • Hand scrape all peeling and flaking areas
  • Feather rough edges between bare spots and sound paint
  • Use sanding methods that respect lead safety if needed
  • Address rust on metal railings, flashing, and vents

On older homes, this step often takes more time than the actual painting. Skipping it guarantees early failure.

Step 5: Wood Repair and Substrate Stabilization

Michigan weather is hard on trim and horizontal surfaces. Repair work keeps water out of vulnerable areas.

  • Replace wood that is soft, crumbly, or deeply cracked
  • Use epoxy or exterior rated repair compounds for minor rot
  • Tighten loose trim, railings, and corner boards
  • Check sill noses and bottom edges of doors

Address water entry points before priming. Paint alone will not fix wet or failing wood.

Step 6: Caulking and Joint Sealing

Caulk joints keep moisture out and reduce drafts. On older homes the original caulk often splits or pulls away.

  • Remove loose or cracked caulk from joints
  • Use high quality exterior caulk in gaps and seams
  • Focus on windows, doors, trim joints, and horizontal transitions
  • Avoid over caulking areas that need ventilation, such as weep holes

Proper caulking supports both paint performance and energy efficiency.

Step 7: Primer Selection for Michigan Climate

Primer choice matters more on older homes than on new builds. Metro Detroit homes see freeze thaw cycles, lake effect moisture, and rapid temperature swings.

Choose primers based on substrate:

  • Oil or bonding primers for bare, weathered wood and tannin rich species
  • Acrylic primers for previously painted wood in sound condition
  • Masonry primers for block, brick, or stucco
  • Stain blocking primers for water marks and rust

Spot prime bare areas, then apply full priming where needed. Follow manufacturer dry times for the temperature range on the day of application.

Step 8: Address Common Michigan Problem Areas

Certain zones fail first on older homes in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne Counties. Pay extra attention to these areas:

  • South and west facing elevations with strong sun exposure
  • Bottom edges of siding near grade
  • Trim near gutters and downspouts
  • Porch ceilings and column bases
  • Window sills and drip edges

If these areas receive stronger prep, primer, and topcoat coverage, the entire paint job lasts longer.

Step 9: Final Pre Paint Checklist

Before opening a can of paint, confirm the following:

  • All loose paint scraped
  • Repairs completed and dry
  • Caulk cured as directed
  • Primers applied and dry to recoat
  • Weather window looks stable for drying time

Taking time to verify each item saves time and cost over the life of the project.

When to Call a Professional Exterior Painter

Some older Michigan homes present more risk than others. Contact a professional exterior painter if you see:

  • Widespread lead based paint concerns
  • High, hard to reach elevations
  • Serious rot in structural trim or siding
  • Extensive alligator cracking on multiple sides of the home

Top Shelf Painting & Improvement Specialists focuses on exterior prep and coating systems for older homes across Metro Detroit. To discuss a project in Oakland, Macomb, or Wayne County, visit our Exterior Painting page or contact us for an estimate.