A fresh coat of paint can dramatically enhance your home's curb appeal and protect its surfaces from the elements. But before you open that first can of exterior paint, proper preparation is key. Without adequate preparation, even the best-quality paint can peel, blister, or fade prematurely. 

In the Pacific Northwest, where the weather can shift from rainy to sunny within hours, thorough surface preparation becomes even more crucial. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of properly preparing your Vancouver or Portland-area home for exterior painting.