Following are recommendations for exterior paint, depending on the surface to be covered. You will need a primer when the surface to be painted is porous or the paints are incompatible (such as when you apply latex paint over alkyd). An existing painted surface in good condition and compatible with the finish coat may not need an additional primer.

Bare wood
Prime bare wood with oil/alkyd or acrylic latex primer, applied according to label directions. Use alkyd or stain-blocking acrylic latex for knots or for redwood or cedar because oils in these woods can leach through the paint. Be sure the primer you use is compatible with your paint.

Chalky or poor wood
Oil may be better where adhesion is a serious problem, such as on chalky surfaces. And when you need to paint in extremely cold weather, oil can be applied without the paint freezing.

Smooth wood siding
Choose 100% acrylic latex paint for best results. Eggshell finishes are relatively flat, so they hide imperfections well, and they’re easier to clean than flat finishes.

Rough wood siding
For rough siding, such as resawn plywood, choose semitransparent oil stains (or water-based stains that contain alkyd resins) that soak into the wood fibers; these stains are much less likely to peel than other finishes.

Hardboard siding
For hardboard siding, which is given a factory finish, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. For most types, prime with acrylic latex primer and apply two coats of 100% acrylic latex paint. Be sure to prime and paint all cut edges.

Vinyl siding
No primer is needed. Apply two coats of 100% acrylic latex paint.

Steel or aluminum siding
No primer is needed for aluminum. For steel, use a metal primer (galvanized metal primer if the metal is galvanized). Then apply two coats of alkyd paint.

Stucco and concrete
No primer is necessary. Apply two coats of flat 100% acrylic latex paint.

Trim
Choose 100% acrylic latex enamels in gloss or semigloss finishes. Remember, the higher the gloss, the more it will show imperfections. If painting over an existing oil-based paint, sand the surface first so the new coat will adhere well.

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