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+ servings
outdoor makeover - photo of an outdoor front porch makeover by sugar & cloth
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5 from 2 votes

How to Paint a Porch

An easy tutorial on how to paint a porch.
Prep Time1 day
Cook Time6 hours
Dry Time1 day
Total Time2 days 6 hours
Course: DIY
Cuisine: Outdoor
Keyword: how to paint a porch
Servings: 1
Cost: $100

Equipment

  • Pressure washer 
  • Straight edge and ruler
  • Pencil
  • Paint brush
  • Paint brush roller

Ingredients

  • 2 exterior porch paint any color of your choice
  • 1 Scotch® Rough Surface Painter’s Tape (2060)
  • 1 ScotchBlue™ Original Painter’s Tape (2090)
  • 1 concrete etching solution optional
  • 1 paint sealant optional

Instructions

  • Prep the porch surface by thoroughly cleaning off any residue, dirt, and debris with a pressure washer and/or an outdoor cleaning agent.
  • If your porch surface has previously been painted or sealed, sand the existing surface and/or etch with etching solution (if you have a concrete porch). This will allow a better grip for the paint. 
  • Tape off the porch border.
    We have textured brick walls, so we used the Scotch® Rough Surface Painter’s Tape (2060) to tape off the side walls. We also have a wood base/PVC trim around the concrete. So we taped off those sections with the ScotchBlue™ Original Painter's Tape (2090).
  • Next, paint the first color of your choice as the base. We used Behr Porch and Floor Paint in satin finish that also is a primer. However, we highly recommend priming your porch or purchasing an all-in-one paint and primer. You'll get a smoother application and stronger hold.
    Allow the base coat to dry for a full 24 hours before measuring and taping off the stripe design.
  • For stripes, we measured and marked 10 inches from one edge of the Scotch® Rough Surface Painter’s Tape (2060).
    Then, we placed the next line of tape on the outside edge of the 10 inch mark, which makes it a total width of 10 inches once the width of the tape is accounted for.
    Be sure to always place the tape on the same side of your marked lines for continuity in the width of the lines. 
  • Using a mini roller, paint in the stripes. Apply 2 coats of paint evenly. Allow the first coat of paint to dry before starting on the second coat.
  • Once the stripes have fully dried, gently remove all of the tape, pulling back at a 45 degree angle. 

Notes

  • Project cost and total time is dependent on your porch size, design and the conditions of your current porch. Our porch measures 20 ft x 7 ft.