Honolulu sun is strong every month and salt air reaches well inland. On older single-wall homes the paint is all that protects the boards. We wash off salt and mildew, scrape, treat rust, prime bare wood and apply two coats, working around the showers.
An exterior paint job in Honolulu has to stand up to strong sun in every month, salt air and sudden showers. There is no cold season to wait out, so the timing question is rain, not temperature. The drier months from about May to September are easiest. In the wetter months, and on the windward side and in the valleys, we work around the showers and make sure the walls are dry before primer or paint goes on.
Many older Honolulu homes are single-wall construction. One layer of redwood or fir boards is the whole wall, so paint is what protects the structure. Other homes are plywood panel siding, fiber cement, hollow tile or stucco. Each needs its own prep. Wood needs scraping, sanding and primer on bare spots. Masonry needs a wash and, where it is powdery or cracked, a masonry primer or an elastomeric coating. We tell you which one you have at the estimate.
Prep is where an exterior job is won here. We wash off salt, mildew and red dirt, scrape loose paint, treat rusted nail heads and metal, caulk open joints and prime bare wood before two finish coats. A full exterior usually takes three to five days, depending on the size of the house and the weather. Painting does not need a city building permit, but your association may need to approve the color.
Exterior painting in Honolulu: common questions
When is the best time to paint a house exterior in Honolulu?
The dry season, about May through September, is the easiest. Painting goes on all year, since it never gets too cold here. In the wet season we watch the forecast and work between showers.
How long does exterior paint last in Honolulu?
National published figures give 3 to 7 years on wood siding and 5 to 7 on stucco. Sun and salt are hard on paint here, and the south and west sides wear first. Good prep and top-grade acrylic paint help it last.
Do I need a permit to paint my house in Honolulu?
No. The City and County of Honolulu lists painting as work that does not need a building permit. A condo or community association may still need to approve an exterior color change.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.