Is there any value in backpriming cement siding or is this just overkill?
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I've had great luck with Hardi planks. It comes preprimed (face only I believe) and has held paint really well. I've understood the siding does not pull moisture in like wood which pushes the paint off as the moisture escapes. I think it's been 5 years using it here in New England for me and all the paint jobs are holding up great. I've been using 15# felt under & never back-primed. Be sure to leave gaps at end joints & caulk though, as unlike wood it expands and contracts along it's length not width. Also I blind nail with Hot dipped roof nails as it seems EG roofs could weep a little rust over your paint job in the future.
The main purpose of backpriming is to stabilize the moisture content of the siding, so that the moisture level is uniform across the profile of the wood. Cement siding, unlike wood, doesn't expand/contract significantly with moisture changes, and doesn't therefore need backpriming.
It is not necessary to backprime cement siding.