TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Cement siding (a popular brand name is Hardie Board) is exactly as it sounds. It has the appearance of wood or hardboard siding with the benefits of cement. Cement siding gives you the warmth of wood and the durability of fiber cement. It resists moisture damage, is low maintenance, won’t rot or delaminate like wood or hardboard, and withstands termite attack. Cement siding is a durable attractive alternative to wood, composite, cedar, vinyl, brick, or stucco siding. Cement siding will give you years of low maintenance when painted with a quality paint system.
Preparation
Patch all dents, chips and cracks with a patching material such as Durham’s Rock Hard Putty. Prior to painting, clean cement siding with a low-pressure water spray or a medium bristle (non-metal) brush. Let the surface dry for 2-4 days after washing. If you are re-painting cement board siding, be sure to remove all contaminants such as dirt, grime and chalk prior to painting.
Painting Options
Repaint: On a repaint job, spot prime any bare areas with an acrylic primer such as Diamond Vogel Sure Grip Exterior Acrylic Latex Primer followed by one or two coats of acrylic latex paint such as Diamond Vogel Palisade Ultra Premium Exterior Acrylic Latex, Durango Acrylic Latex Exterior Finish, or EverCryl Exterior Acrylic Latex Finish.
Pre-primed: Some cement siding companies offer their siding with a pre-primed option. In this case, be sure the surface is clean and free of all contaminants and finish with one or two coats of acrylic latex paint such as Diamond Vogel Palisade Ultra Premium Exterior Acrylic Latex, Durango Acrylic Latex Exterior Finish, or EverCryl Exterior Acrylic Latex Finish. Apply two coats for increased durability.
Unprimed: When painting unprimed cement siding, follow the preparation instructions above prior to painting. Use an acrylic primer such as Diamond Vogel Sure Grip Exterior Acrylic Latex Primer and then finish with acrylic latex paint such as Diamond Vogel Palisade Ultra Premium Exterior Acrylic Latex, Durango Acrylic Latex Exterior Finish, or EverCryl Exterior Acrylic Latex Finish. For increased durability, two coats of finish are recommended.
For further information on painting cement siding, contact your Diamond Vogel representative.