Replies

1. 
   TrimButcher | Sep 24, 2004 05:13pm | #1

   Not recommended.  Depends upon primer, but it shouldn't be exposed to the sun for lengthy periods of time (say, >30 days) before being covered with topcoat.

   If you leave it unpainted, you should lightly sand it just before you reprime next year.

   Regards,

   Tim Ruttan

1. 
   BSzydlo | Sep 24, 2004 05:37pm | #2

   Does it damage the siding to leave it without a topcoat during the winter?  I know that siding installation continues throughout the winter in this part of the country but in order to paint the temperature has to remain above 35 so what do builders do during the colder months? 

2. 
   WayneL5 | Sep 24, 2004 06:34pm | #3

   The contractor installed Hardie on my new home in January of 2000.  The home was on the Canadian border of New York, so was way too cold to paint.  It was painted by a painting contractor in the mid summer of 2000.  The paint went on and held up in every respect.  Still looks solid 4 years later.

   When the time comes to apply the paint, you should give it a light rinse with a pressure washer.

3. 
   CrackerJacks | Sep 24, 2004 07:39pm | #4

   I will also be installing Certainteed Weatherboards this fall and may not be ready to paint before the cold sets in.  According to the mfr website, they give a window of two years to allow for painting the finish coat.  I've always been under the assumption of having to re-prime after 6 months but they said that this would void the warranty is not needed anyways.

   This comes directly from Certainteed's website:

   Painting CertainTeed WeatherBoards FiberCement Siding, Soffit and Trim must be allowed to breathe. Some factory-applied primer, paint, or stain on the back is normal.

   Never completely prime, paint, or stain the back side. All WeatherBoards Siding, Soffit, and Trim is sealed with CertainTeed’s FiberTect Sealing System. You have up to 24 months to apply a finish coat.

   Before applying the finish coat, clean all the siding, soffit, and trim thoroughly. Use a high-quality 100% acrylic latex paint or stain. Always follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions when painting or staining. Never apply oil-based paints or stains to WeatherBoards FiberCement Siding, Soffit, or Trim.

1. 
   edwardh1 | Sep 24, 2004 11:23pm | #5

   Hardie even lists the detailed brands/types of paint

   Edited 9/24/2004 4:24 pm ET by wain