If there is one thing I have learned in all my years painting houses across Auckland, it is this: the paint job is only as good as the prep underneath it. You can buy the most expensive Dulux or Resene paint on the shelf, but if the surface is not prepared properly, it will peel, blister, or fade within a couple of years.
So let me walk you through exactly how we prepare a home for exterior painting — the same steps we follow on every single job, whether it is a small weatherboard cottage in Onehunga or a two-storey place on the North Shore.
Step 1: Wash the Exterior First
Before any sanding or filling happens, the house needs a thorough wash. We use a soft wash method — gentle chemical solution that kills mould, lichen, and algae at the root, followed by a low-pressure rinse. This is important because painting over mould or dirt is like painting over grease — the paint will not stick.
If your house has heavy moss or algae growth, we might also use a pressure washer on tougher surfaces like brick or concrete. But on weatherboards and plaster, we keep the pressure low to avoid damaging the cladding.
Step 2: Scrape and Sand Flaking Paint
Once the house is clean and dry, we go over every surface to find any loose, flaking, or peeling paint. This gets scraped back to a solid edge and sanded smooth. If you leave flaking paint underneath, the new coat will lift along with the old stuff within months.
We use sanders for large flat areas and hand-sand tricky spots around windows, doors, and trim. The goal is a smooth, sound surface with no loose edges.
Step 3: Fill Cracks, Gaps, and Holes
Auckland weather is tough on houses. Sun, rain, wind, and salt air all take their toll, and over time cracks appear in plaster, gaps open up around windows, and nail holes widen. We fill all of these with the right filler for the surface — flexible exterior filler for gaps that move, and hard-setting filler for stable areas.
This step is fiddly and time-consuming, but it is what gives you a flawless finish. Skip it and every crack will telegraph through your new paint.
Step 4: Prime Bare Surfaces
Any bare timber, filled areas, or spots where the old paint has been removed down to the substrate need a coat of primer. Primer is the glue between the surface and the topcoat — without it, the paint will not bond properly and will not last.
We use a quality exterior primer that is compatible with the topcoat system. For weatherboards, that usually means an oil-based or acrylic primer depending on the timber condition.
Step 5: Mask and Protect
Before painting starts, we mask up windows, doors, downpipes, and any surfaces that should not get paint on them. We lay drop sheets over paths, gardens, and decks. This is about respect for your property — a good painter leaves the place cleaner than they found it.
Step 6: Two Coats of Premium Paint
Finally, we apply two full coats of premium Dulux or Resene exterior paint, formulated specifically for New Zealand conditions. Two coats — never one. One coat might look okay from a distance, but it will not have the coverage or durability to last.
Between coats, we check for drips, runs, and missed spots. And after the final coat, we do a full walk-around with you to make sure every surface meets our standard — and yours.
The Bottom Line
Proper preparation takes time — sometimes longer than the painting itself. But it is the difference between a finish that lasts 8 to 10 years and one that starts peeling after two seasons. That is why we never skip steps, no matter how keen you are to get started.
If you are thinking about getting your house painted and want a team that does it properly from start to finish, get a free smart estimate on our homepage. It takes two minutes and gives you a real NZ price range — no obligation.
Maikolo Tuionetoa
Owner & Lead Painter, Love Waterhouse Painters
Born in Falevai (Waterhouse), Tonga. Painting across NZ since age 18. Pacific Island work ethic, Kiwi standards.