Exterior Paint Mistakes to Avoid (And What This Harpswell Project Got Right)

A bold new look for a coastal classic.

This house repaint in Harpswell, Maine involved a full exterior restoration of a 2,100 sq ft coastal home. The homeowner hired CYR Painting Service to perform a seven-day repaint project that included both structural surface preparation and high-performance coatings.

The team conducted a full reset of all exterior nails, followed by filling, sanding, and masking to prepare surfaces for uniform application. The entire house was sprayed using airless sprayers with fine-finish tips for both body and trim.

Both surfaces were coated in Sherwin-Williams Black Magic (SW 6991) for a cohesive monochrome finish. The siding received WoodScapes Exterior Acrylic Solid House Stain, while the trim was finished with Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel.

The objective was to restore surface integrity, increase paint longevity, and deliver consistent finish quality in a high-humidity, salt-air coastal environment.

The homeowner reached out to CYR Painting Service after dealing with long-term maintenance issues. These included rising nail heads, flaking paint, and inconsistent patchwork from earlier paint jobs.

Being located near the Maine coastline, the house is regularly exposed to high moisture, UV radiation, and wind, leading to accelerated deterioration. A previous repaint failed to hold due to insufficient surface preparation and suboptimal product selection.

CYR Painting Service conducted an on-site assessment and recommended:

• Resetting all fasteners

• Using premium-grade filler and sanding methods

• Applying proven weather-resistant coatings with strong adhesion

The homeowner requested a low-sheen, modern finish and selected a uniform Black Magic color for both body and trim—minimizing contrast lines and reducing visual clutter.

• Initial Consultation & Surface Assessment: Met with the homeowner on-site to inspect the condition of the siding and trim. Identified raised nail heads, failed caulking, and surface inconsistencies caused by prior low-prep paint jobs. Discussed goals for durability, finish uniformity, and color selection for a full monochromatic exterior in Sherwin-Williams Black Magic.
• Nail Reset & Surface Repair: Mechanically reset all exposed and lifted exterior nail heads to restore flush alignment. Applied premium exterior-grade wood filler to nail holes, minor cracks, and surface blemishes. Allowed for proper cure time before sanding.
• Sanding & Surface Prep: Orbital-sanded all patched areas and high-friction zones to create a smooth, even substrate. Verified that all surfaces met paint manufacturer guidelines for adhesion. Masked off windows, fixtures, hardscape, and landscape elements using 3M tape, plastic, and drop cloths.
• Siding Spray Application: Applied Sherwin-Williams WoodScapes Exterior Acrylic Solid Stain in Black Magic to all body surfaces using airless spray equipment with fine-finish tips. Achieved consistent coverage and uniform opacity across vertical wood siding, ensuring full penetration and water resistance.
• Trim Spray Application: Sprayed Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel in matching Black Magic to all fascia boards, window casings, door frames, and trim elements. Maintained crisp edge definition and sheen consistency using back-brushing where necessary for tight angles.
• Final Walkthrough & Site Clean-Up: Completed a final inspection with the homeowner to verify surface integrity, color uniformity, and full coverage. Touched up small detail areas as needed. Removed masking, cleaned the site thoroughly, and provided guidance on product cure times and routine maintenance best practices.

At completion, the entire structure had a smooth, even finish with no visible transitions between patched and non-patched surfaces. Application thickness and curing times met Sherwin-Williams product specifications.

• No visible flashing or lap marks were present on the siding.

• All fasteners were flush and sealed, minimizing future moisture entry points.

• Edge lines were clean, with no overspray on masked areas.

• Color coverage was uniform, including under eaves and detail areas.

The customer completed the walkthrough without noting any deficiencies. No rework or punch list items were required.

“Everything looks uniform. The surface is smooth and the finish is solid throughout. No issues at all.”

Post-completion feedback indicated full satisfaction with the preparation process, product selection, and spray finish results.