Brisbane is hard on exterior paint. UV bleaches it, summer storms hammer the windward walls, and the humidity wakes up any mould or mildew that's hiding in the substrate. Most exterior repaints we do are not because the colour faded — they're because the previous coat went on without the prep that an actual Queensland-climate job needs.
The exterior process starts with a wash (high-pressure where appropriate, soft-wash where the substrate is fragile), then sanding back any flaking topcoat to a sound base, replacing rotten timber where we find it, sealing knots and end-grain, applying an oil- or acrylic-based primer to bare wood, masking off everything we're not painting, and then two full coats of premium exterior paint. Eaves, fascia and gutters get done at the same time so the whole house ages evenly.
What's included
- House wash (high or soft, as appropriate)
- Scraping and sanding of failed coats
- Timber repair quotes for rot
- Knot and end-grain sealing
- Bare-substrate priming
- Two coats of UV-stable exterior paint
- Eaves, fascia and gutter painting
- Window and door re-glazing if required
- Cleanup and weather contingency
Common questions about exterior painting
When's the best time of year to paint a Brisbane exterior?
April through October is the sweet spot — cooler temperatures, less afternoon humidity, fewer storms. Summer is workable too but we work earlier in the day to avoid the heat affecting drying times. We won't apply paint when rain is imminent or the substrate is still wet from a storm; we just call you that morning and reschedule the day.
Do you replace rotten timber, or is that a separate trade?
Small repairs (replacing a piece of fascia, a few weatherboards, a deck plank) are part of what we do — the quote calls them out as separate line items so you can see the cost. For structural carpentry beyond that, we'll bring in a chippie we've worked with for years and project-manage that sub for you. We never paint over rot — that's the foundation of a coat that fails in 18 months.
What about lead paint on older Queenslanders?
Houses built before 1970 sometimes have lead-based paint in the older layers. We test if there's any doubt, and if it's positive we follow the WorkCover Queensland procedures for lead-safe removal — wet sanding, HEPA vacuums, full PPE, sealed waste disposal. The cost goes on the quote so you can see it; we don't surface it as a surprise later.
Will my paint job survive the next storm season?
If the prep is done properly and we use the right product, yes. Modern exterior acrylics from Dulux Weathershield, Wattyl Solagard and Taubmans Tradex are engineered for Queensland conditions and carry 7-15 year warranties when applied to the manufacturer's spec. We apply to that spec — film thickness, recoat times, primer compatibility — so the warranty is real, not theoretical.
How long does a full exterior repaint take?
A typical 3-bedroom Queenslander or post-war house takes 7–14 working days depending on prep needed, weather and the size of the elevations. Multi-storey or larger homes scale up from there. The quote tells you the day count and start date; weather can push the finish out by a day or two, but we'll always call you that morning rather than ghosting.
Do you do the gutters and downpipes too?
Yes — eaves, fascia, gutters and downpipes are usually painted at the same time as the rest of the exterior so the house ages evenly and you don't end up with a beautifully painted weatherboard against a flaking gutter. If you only want some of these elements done, that's fine too; tell us on the quote walk-through.
What about the roof?
We paint Colorbond and concrete-tile roofs — both involve a different prep approach (high-pressure wash, then a roof-specific primer and topcoat system) than the rest of the exterior, and we quote it as a separate line. Tiled roofs in particular need to be assessed for broken tiles or pointing before we paint, otherwise you've spent money on paint that won't fix the underlying problem.
Will you protect my plants and pavers?
Yes. Drop sheets and tarps over garden beds, drainage diverted away from anything sensitive, masking on windows and outdoor lights. We don't pressure-wash near power outlets or weak masonry. If you've got something specific you want protected (a sandstone path, an outdoor kitchen, a child's cubby), point it out at the quote and we'll make a plan for it.