I have questions.

How long has the siding been weathered?

Yes. Caulking should be applied to a clean, primed surface.

Michael

The siding was installed in November and was caulked at that time. Unfortunately the temperatures dropped from 70 to 30 overnight and didn't warm up again until April. We live in Iowa so the siding has seen its share of rain & snow and now finally warm sunlight. It seems to look the same as the day it was installed other than being a little muddy near the foundation. Every painter that has been out to look at it has said that they will clean it well and apply two coats of paint. The only major discrepancy between the bids is whether they prime the whole thing or just spot prime the areas that are caulked or cut plus the cedar porch rails. Only one painter has wanted to prime the whole thing and his bid is $2100 more than the next guy. Money is definately tight right now as we just finished building and are still in the process of closing on our mortgage. I'd love to save the $2100 but then again its not worth it if it results in an inferior paint job and we end up having to redo it in a few years. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Hi Alymarie,
Find out from your installer or builder about warranty requirements...I KNOW they require 100% Acrylic Exterior paints now, but am NOT sure about their priming specifics for warranty.

Check out this info. first!
Faron

From the James Hardie Finisishing Requirements.

PAINTING
James Hardie products must be painted.* 100% acrylic topcoats are recommended. Do not paint when wet. For application rates refer to paint manufacturers specifications. Back-rolling is recommended if the siding is sprayed.
*within 180 days for primed product and 90 days for unprimed

I would only accept the job if you permit me to prime before painting. The Siding is almost out of warranty due to extended delays in painting. I would not accept liability for the paint performance w/o priming.

As Faron says, and as the instructions say..use 100% Acrylic paint. And, use the highest quality available.

Michael

Thanks guys for the advice. I will ask the painters that bid without priming how much it would add to prime first. If they use a tinted primer will they still need two topcoats of paint? We are painting the house a pale buttercream yellow with white trim. Also, is Sherwin Williams Super Paint for exteriors a high quality paint? Thanks.

I want to paint my garage this weekend. It is concrete block and has never been painted. I am planning on using Sherwin Williams Exterior Duration paint. I have been told by my local Sherwin Williams paint store that I do not have to prime the garage because I am using a self-priming paint. Should I go ahead and paint the garage without priming it or should I prime it. I have heard conflicting reports on this.

I am going to use Duration on my new shed this weekend. The SW store said you don't have to use a primer with Duration on a previously painted surface. So it sounds like you should prime. Better safe...

You should prime, but remember to specify what brand and what grade of that brand. You might ask for BM and they come with the cheapest contractor grade or new construction grade. Ask a trusted paint dealer what a good primer is for your type of project and specify that exact product in the contract. I have been through this a couple of times inside and out with contractors. Be firm. Color the primer if possible. Finish product will look much nicer.

I agree, Benjamin Moore is a better quality paint than Sherwin Williams. Pratt and Lambert is good, but not as good as BM and way overpriced. Most reputable paint stores will tell you that.

And yes, I would definitely prime.

Clean first then Prime all the Hardie planks.