One coats or two when repainting exterior?

General Landlording & Rental Properties
11yFollow

One coats or two when repainting exterior?

Toben B.
Investor · Tulsa, OK · Member since 2008 · 154 posts · 54 votes


Hello,

I just got a quote from a painter and he quoted one coat of paint, caulking and the minor wood repairs I need on the outside of my quadplex. 

Do I need one coat or two on the exterior? 

0Reply
58 views

Most Popular Reply

Josh C.Pro Member
Property Manager · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
11y
I painted too many old houses this year. I have mine shot and back rolled. There are different methods but I like that. But do insist they do a good job prepping. Power wash included. Good luck.
3Reply
See this reply in the discussion

12 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Josh C.Pro Member
    Property Manager · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y
    I painted too many old houses this year. I have mine shot and back rolled. There are different methods but I like that. But do insist they do a good job prepping. Power wash included. Good luck.
    3Reply
  • Tim Farrell
    Real Estate Investor · Reno, NV · Member since 2012 · 240 posts · 45 votes
    11y

    2 coats... anything less and you will be redoing it again in short order

    1Reply
  • Damion Byros
    Mckinney, TX · Member since 2015 · 86 posts · 11 votes
    11y

    2

    0Reply
  • Adam BartomeoBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    I have painted more houses then I would have liked to but it has the best bang for your buck and is easy to do. I've done 4 inside and out over the past 3 months. Anyway, I never apply 2 coats unless it is absolutely necessary. I normally buy highquality paint that is made to last longer then your normal paint. It saves time and money. I have never had an issue with Behr Ultra and it is my brand of choice.

    [email protected]239-339-3969
    Bartomeo Property Management4.7150 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    Contractor · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 651 posts · 510 votes
    11y

    It always takes two coats.  One coat looks terrible...even with Benjamin Moore. 

    0Reply
  • Dick RosenPro Member
    Property Manager · Gilbert, AZ · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 451 votes
    11y

    It all really depends on the quality of the paint and the quality of the painter!

    0Reply
  • Richard C.
    Bedford, NH · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    Two coats if brushed, three if sprayed.

    0Reply
  • Matthew Paul
    Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    11y

    I used super paint by sherwin williams to paint asbestos shingles , 1 coat looked good , but still went with 2 coats .   Do it right or do it over .

    0Reply
  • Dana WhickerPro Member
    Investor · Fernandina Beach, FL · Member since 2014 · 557 posts · 374 votes
    11y

    You mention minor wood repair, those areas need at least primer and paint or two coats of paint.  

    As far as the bulk of the structure, this a huge part of this decision...  Are you going with a significantly dissimilar, and/or lighter color?  If so, you need two coats.

     If you are painting with a color that is in the same visual spectrum, or is simply the same color, and you use a high-end paint you can usually get away with one coat.

    0Reply
  • Justin Tahilramani
    Rental Property Investor · Fayetteville, NC · Member since 2014 · 884 posts · 670 votes
    11y

    @Josh C. is right. Spray and back roll. It will look good and offer the correct coverage if you have good paint and a good painter. 

    Proper prep is paramount. 

    Be careful - some people are offering bad advice.... Three coats of spray??? Why? 

    0Reply
  • Nathan Golding
    Contractor · Loganville, WI · Member since 2015 · 65 posts · 44 votes
    11y

    Depends on what paint he is using.  

    When I worked for a painter he used woodscapes and it cost 50 dollars a gallon and it would cover 99% of jobs just fine with 1 coat.  

    If he is using 15 dollar menards paint you are going to need two coats.  

    0Reply
  • Richard C.
    Bedford, NH · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Justin Tahilramani:

    @Josh C. is right. Spray and back roll. It will look good and offer the correct coverage if you have good paint and a good painter. 

    Proper prep is paramount. 

    Be careful - some people are offering bad advice.... Three coats of spray??? Why? 

     I don't spray.  Not since had two coats sprayed and it looked like crap.  So if you must spray, I'm going to say it is going to take either some additional brushwork or a third coat.

    My last three paintings have been brushed.

    0Reply
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.
Log InJoin for Free