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Project House Official Blog

How to Paint Fiber-Cement Siding

Patrick McCombe, Associate editor

65 users recommend

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One of the products we're seeing more and more of is fiber-cement siding. It's got a number of advantages: it's rot proof, it's insect resistent, and it's relatively inexpensive. We had pro painter Jim Lacey show us the right way to prep and paint it.

Jim's tips include:

-Make sure the fiber cement is free of dirt and mildew

-Do not prime the siding (it comes pre-primed)

-Use 100% acrylic paint

-Caulk transitions where fiber cement meets trim

-Use a quick-dry, flexible, paintable caulk that is designed to bond to fiber cement and your trim material

-Smooth caulk with your finger; wipe away excess with a damp rag

-Don't put too much paint on your brush (less is more)

-Work from top to bottom

-Follow the grain pattern

More Free Painting Videos

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Stop paint from bleeding under masking tape

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Comments (7)

statelypenguin writes: I work as a painter in "high-end" new construction, and as I've watched the quality of work go down, down, down on our houses, I've always turned to Fine Homebuilding to show me that the job can still be done correctly.

However, this video really bothered me. Pro painter Jim Lacey? Is that a plastic handle brush? What about painting the bottom edge of the siding? Why are you brushing the entire wall in the first place? Furthermore, when caulking the siding to the corner boards, we've always caulked the bottom edges of the siding as well instead of just the vertical, otherwise water could still get in.

I'm not saying you aren't a pro and I know that sometimes you have to make crappy videos that dumb everything down for homeowners, but come on; it shouldn't mean you have to cut corners, especially in a FHB video. Leave that to the custom home builders using the cheapest labor and materials possible.
Posted: 5:51 am on April 10th

designthis writes: Mr. Lacy left at least a 1/3 of the labor out and would make the client very unhappy and probably void the warrantee. A lot of time needs to be taken to paint underneath the bottom drip edge. Imagine standing on the ground and looking up at the second floor, you'd see primer, but no paint underneath all of the boards. This is the hardest part of the job. And not doing it is cutting corners!
Posted: 8:35 am on March 5th

patrick_mccombe writes: Thanks for the comments. The caulk Jim is using is a high-quality arcylic latex exterior caulk. It's not painter's caulk. We should have done a better job explaining that.
Fine Homebuilding's video audience includes builders, remodelers and DIYers. Our aim is to produce content that satisfies the needs and curiosity of all three groups. The Building Skills video series, as the name suggests, are basic skills for those just starting out in their homebuilding pursuits. If you feel the content is too basic for your needs, I hope you'll check out one of our our other video series, like Master Carpenter, or There's a Better Way. Patrick McCombe Associate Editor
Posted: 4:49 pm on February 16th

Nails9 writes: Great Video! I really like the tip about not letting the paint drip or run. Also, paint with the grain, and top to bottom. That's genius.
Posted: 8:00 pm on February 13th

CBuilt writes: That is a poor video. I have never seen painters caulk recommended for a joint between PVC trim and cement siding-- especially a tooled caulk joint! Seems to me it will crack with the first movement.
Posted: 9:20 am on February 13th

CLK3RD writes: Our experience is that the total cost of cement siding (LABOR + materials) is considerably higher (multiples) than other siding types.
Posted: 5:59 am on February 13th

geoffhazel writes: That had to be the most useless video I've ever seen on Fine Homebuilder's site.

Caulk it. Use 100% acrylic paint. Use two coats if you have to.


Posted: 4:09 am on February 13th

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