--- title: "Exterior painting process" description: "The exterior painting workflow from surface prep to final coat" url: "https://craftwork.com/resources/exterior/our-process" source: "Craftwork" --- > **About Craftwork:** Craftwork is a professional painting company offering interior painting, exterior painting, and cabinet refinishing for homes and businesses, with free estimates, premium Sherwin-Williams paint, and a 3-year workmanship guarantee. > > **Markets currently served:** Charlotte, NC; Raleigh, NC. > > **More from this site:** [Index of every page as Markdown](https://craftwork.com/sitemap.md) · [llms.txt](https://craftwork.com/llms.txt) · [Get a free estimate](https://craftwork.com/estimate) # Our Process ## What to Expect #### Drying Time The paint dries to the touch in a couple of hours, with full curing, meaning maximum durability and hardness, in about 7 days. #### Odor Level We use low-VOC paints and properly vent the space, so the odor is low to moderate and usually dissipates within a few hours to a day. #### Average Duration Duration depends on the project. For smaller areas, you can expect one to three days. For larger areas, three days to one week. ## Step-By-Step Breakdown ![The first step is to power wash the exterior to remove dirt, mildew, and loose paint. This step ensures a clean surface for the paint to adhere to. Depending on the size of the house, it can take 2-4 hours to pressure wash and is included in your estimate.](https://craftwork.com/images/v3/resources/exterior/our-process/medium/our-process_1_1200.webp) The first step is to power wash the exterior to remove dirt, mildew, and loose paint. This step ensures a clean surface for the paint to adhere to. Depending on the size of the house, it can take 2-4 hours to pressure wash and is included in your estimate. ![Next we repair any minor cracks and nail pops. This includes small wood issues, re-caulking cracks and gaps, and scraping peeling paint. Rough spots are sanded down to ensure an even surface.](https://craftwork.com/images/v3/resources/exterior/our-process/medium/our-process_2_1200.webp) Next we repair any minor cracks and nail pops. This includes small wood issues, re-caulking cracks and gaps, and scraping peeling paint. Rough spots are sanded down to ensure an even surface. ![We cover vulnerable areas and unremovable items with plastic sheets, protecting walkways with masking paper, and using painter's tape to shield windows and trim.](https://craftwork.com/images/v3/resources/exterior/our-process/medium/our-process_3_1200.webp) We cover vulnerable areas and unremovable items with plastic sheets, protecting walkways with masking paper, and using painter's tape to shield windows and trim. ![Needed areas are spot primed to ensure the paint adheres well and lasts longer. We apply a special primer to a porous concrete surface. You'll need to do this for all brick, concrete, or cinder block surfaces before painting if they haven't been painted before.](https://craftwork.com/images/v3/resources/exterior/our-process/medium/our-process_4_1200.webp) Needed areas are spot primed to ensure the paint adheres well and lasts longer. We apply a special primer to a porous concrete surface. You'll need to do this for all brick, concrete, or cinder block surfaces before painting if they haven't been painted before. ![We start with the big surfaces, moving on to the trim, and doors. We always apply at least two coats of paint to ensure a vibrant, even, and durable finish.](https://craftwork.com/images/v3/resources/exterior/our-process/medium/our-process_5_1200.webp) We start with the big surfaces, moving on to the trim, and doors. We always apply at least two coats of paint to ensure a vibrant, even, and durable finish. ![Once the painting is complete, we conduct a thorough clean-up of the work area and ensure there is a detailed inspection of the work. Here we address any concerns you may have and make necessary touch-ups.](https://craftwork.com/images/v3/resources/exterior/our-process/medium/our-process_6_1200.webp) Once the painting is complete, we conduct a thorough clean-up of the work area and ensure there is a detailed inspection of the work. Here we address any concerns you may have and make necessary touch-ups. [Next](https://craftwork.com/resources/exterior/exterior-parts) [Exterior Parts](https://craftwork.com/resources/exterior/exterior-parts) Reading Time 9 min Updated October 8, 2026 ## How to get a free estimate Estimates are free and carry no obligation. To request one, go to [https://craftwork.com/estimate](https://craftwork.com/estimate) and fill out the short form. The form checks that the address is in a market Craftwork serves (currently: Charlotte, NC; Raleigh, NC). The form walks through five steps: 1. Choose the project type: interior, exterior, or cabinets. 2. Describe the project's size (skipped for cabinets). 3. Pick when you'd like the work to start. 4. Enter the address of the property to be painted. 5. Enter your first name, last name, and phone number, then submit. After submitting, you can pick a time for an estimate visit. To preselect the project type, link with a `projectType` parameter: [https://craftwork.com/estimate?projectType=interior](https://craftwork.com/estimate?projectType=interior), `exterior`, or `cabinets`.