# Wood Siding – Peeling Paint **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wood-siding-peeling-paint/615585 "2012-03-12T20:38:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wood-siding-peeling-paint/615585/1 "2012-03-12T20:38:33Z")
I have wood siding on my house and I can’t seem to keep the [paint from peeling. The house is almost 100 years old and I’d bet the siding is close to that too. I’ve scraped it down to the wood but the paint still doesn’t want to stick more and 2-3 years. Is there anything I can do or am I doomed to re-side the house? ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wood-siding-peeling-paint/615585/2 "2012-03-12T20:56:41Z")
If it’s cedar you need an oil based primer because the natural oils in the cedar itself will keep latex from bonding. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wood-siding-peeling-paint/615585/3 "2012-03-12T22:28:38Z")
Unfortunately I have no idea what it is. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wood-siding-peeling-paint/615585/4 "2012-03-13T08:35:27Z")
Usually, peeling paint is a sign of high moisture content within the wood and this can be easily checked with a moisture meter and if it’s above 12% - 15%, it’s too high. Unfortunately, there are many variables that can cause and contribute to a high moisture content in a structure’s siding. If the peeling is fairly uniform on all sides of your home, I suspect you have a high moisture content within the home that is saturating the siding as it escapes. I have no idea what may be causing the potential moisture issue but suggest your first invest $25 to $50 and purchase a moisture meter and check the siding. If the moisture content is high, you need to research qualified people in your area specializing in moisture issues and have them make an inspection and offer advice. If you can locate a structural engineer nearby, these individuals may be able to help or perhaps recommend someone specific to your problem. Finding someone to diagnose the problem only as opposed to a contractor who has a financial interest in correcting the issue may give you more of an unbiased opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Anonymous\_Coward](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@Anonymous\_Coward](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anonymous_Coward)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wood-siding-peeling-paint/615585/6 "2012-03-14T13:22:03Z")
What are you painting it with? Latex or oil based? Is the paint bubbling or flaking? ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wood-siding-peeling-paint/615585/7 "2012-03-14T14:24:49Z")
Painting w/ latex and it’s flaking. It’s like the paint has dried out and become brittle. On a related note I heard from a friend about [Rhino Shield](http://www.rhinoshield.net/) and I’m going to have them come out to give an estimate. Anyone have any experience with it?