Exterior Painting

Question 1

What should I know about painting with dark colors?

Answer

We get 300+ days of sunshine a year here in Colorado, and the south sides of homes take the biggest beating. Because of that, darker colors will fade faster. That's not poor workmanship. That's physics.

If you're set on a dark color, we strongly recommend using the highest-quality paint available to slow down fading. Even then, dark colors require more maintenance over time. When possible, lighter shades are the safer, longer-lasting option.

Why dark colors fade faster (the part most people don't know)

Darker colors are more photosensitive. They absorb more of the sun's energy, which causes the resin in the paint to break down faster.

Paint is made up of two main components:

Pigment – the color
Resin – the protective, durable part of the paint

Most paint starts as a can of resin and only becomes a color after tint dye is added. Dark colors require a lot more tint. Light bases arrive almost full with very little room for tint. Deep bases hold less paint and much more tint. The darker the color, the more tint goes in, which means:

Less actual paint in the can
More dye and less protective resin
Reduced durability

This is why fading happens, and why even premium paints struggle with dark colors in intense sun. The ratio of tint to protective paint just isn't in your favor.

The good news

Full prime + top-tier paint. A full prime creates a fresh, uniform surface and improves adhesion, which slows the breakdown of the resin in the new paint.
Base selection matters. If a color is borderline dark, we can sometimes have it made in a medium base instead of a deep base, which significantly improves durability and lifespan.

Bottom line: if your goal is maximum longevity and long-term savings, lighter colors win every time. If your top priority is the exact color you love and you understand the maintenance trade-off… well, YOLO We'll just make sure it's done the right way.

Question 2

What does a manufacturer's lifetime warranty actually mean?

Answer

A lifetime warranty means that if anything out of the ordinary happens during the expected life of the paint, the manufacturer (Sherwin-Williams, in our case) will step in to evaluate and address the issue.

"Out of the ordinary" refers to things like:

Unusual or premature discoloration
Peeling or failure on properly painted vertical surfaces
Any issue that appears to be related to the paint itself rather than normal wear or environmental exposure

If a concern comes up, Sherwin-Williams will review the job details, reference the specific paint and batch number used, and check whether there are any known issues with that batch on their end.

Paint is a manufactured product, and rare issues occasionally happen. What matters is how the manufacturer responds. Sherwin-Williams is widely considered the gold standard here. They investigate thoroughly, make a genuine effort to make things right, and have a strong track record of standing behind their product when something truly unusual occurs.

That's what a lifetime warranty is really about: accountability and support long after the paint is applied.

Question 3

How long should a good exterior paint job last in Colorado?

Answer

In Colorado, a high-quality exterior paint job should typically last 10–15 years before any noticeable issues begin to appear. In many cases it lasts even longer when the right materials and preparation methods are used.

Several factors play a major role in extending the life of the paint:

Paint quality: Higher-quality paints hold up better against intense sun exposure and temperature swings.
Proper priming: Full priming creates a uniform surface and helps slow the breakdown of the paint's resin, improving adhesion and UV resistance.
Caulking and prep work: Properly sealed joints and thorough preparation prevent moisture intrusion and premature failure.
Substrate condition: New materials like Hardie® fiber cement siding significantly improve paint longevity. Existing surfaces in good condition also contribute to a longer-lasting result.
Color choice: Darker colors break down faster in Colorado's high-UV environment, while lighter colors generally last longer.
Application thickness: Paint must be applied at the correct thickness to perform as intended.

At Ace of Diamonds, we ensure every project meets or exceeds manufacturer application standards, including proper film build measured in mil thickness. When all of these elements come together, you get a paint job that not only looks great, but lasts.

Question 4

Why does better paint matter?

Answer

Paint is made up of two main components:

Pigment, which provides the color
Resin, which provides durability, protection, and longevity

One of the most important ingredients within the resin is titanium dioxide. This compound plays a major role in how well paint protects against UV damage, covers surfaces evenly, holds color over time, and resists premature breakdown. It's the same ingredient used in sunscreen, and for the same reason: it protects against the sun's harmful rays.

Not all titanium dioxide is the same. There are higher-purity, higher-quality forms, much like the difference between a well-cut diamond and a lower-grade one. Because titanium dioxide is a limited and costly resource, premium paints use better, purer versions of it.

That higher-quality formulation allows premium paints to:

Go on smoother
Cover better
Protect longer
Maintain color and durability over time

In short, better paint isn't just about color. It's about what's inside the can. Higher-quality ingredients lead to longer-lasting, better-performing results.

Question 5

What's covered under your 9-year warranty?

Answer

Our 9-year no-exclusions warranty covers chipping, peeling, and premature fading of the paint. If the finish fails or doesn't look right at any point during those nine years, we fix it. No fine print, no blame game, no hoops to jump through. You call, we show up, we make it right.

Bonus: Want even more peace of mind? You can upgrade to a 12-year warranty for extended coverage and long-term confidence. Paint once. Relax longer.

Question 6

How cold is too cold to paint?

Answer

A good rule of thumb: exterior painting is safe when nighttime temperatures stay above the teens and daytime temperatures reach at least 50°F for part of the day. Temperature matters because paint needs time to cure properly, not just dry.

Color choice plays a big role

Darker colors take longer to cure because they contain more tint and less protective resin.
For that reason, we typically recommend painting dark colors in the spring, when temperatures are trending warmer rather than cooler.
Dark colors are especially vulnerable on north-facing sides, where there's little to no sun and moisture tends to linger.

Because of this, we generally avoid dark exterior colors later in the year when forecasts show cooling temperatures.

Lighter colors are more forgiving. With lighter shades and the right weather window, typically a stretch of several consistently warm days, we're often able to paint successfully nearly year-round, even in Colorado. As long as temperatures remain stable and don't drop into the teens overnight, the paint can cure properly and perform as intended.

Question 7

What happens after I sign my proposal?

Answer

Your project is handed off to our Project Management team, and you can expect a phone call from your Project Manager within one week. On that call they'll discuss your project, answer questions, and look at setting a tentative schedule.

From there, your Project Manager will give you a follow-up call to confirm the schedule and any variables of the project, and a window for a start date will be discussed and finalized if possible. Depending on project needs, another follow-up call may be made.

A note on scheduling

We do everything in our power to meet the schedule we set with you and take great pride in doing so. We ask that you return the favor and do your part to help us meet it. If you're on the schedule and need to reschedule, you'll be placed at the bottom of our queue.

The most common reasons homeowners end up rescheduling:

HOA approval not coming through as quickly as anticipated
Difficulty (and procrastination) picking colors
Other projects on the home delayed in starting or finishing

We understand things come up, and we hope you'd extend us the same grace. Getting ahead of these three items keeps your project on track.

Question 8

How should I prepare my home before the crew arrives?

Answer

A little preparation goes a long way. Before we arrive:

Clear the work surfaces. Hanging lights, patio furniture, awnings, grills, and similar items need to be moved back so the crew has room to work. If something is too large to move, our crew may be able to assist.
Trim back vegetation. If shrubs, trees, or other plants are blocking the crew's access to surfaces, we'll ask that those are trimmed back.
Move anything precious yourself. Anything you'd be very disappointed to see broken or damaged in the process of moving should be moved by you.
Close your windows before the power wash, and let the crew know when they arrive if you've ever had a leak or water get into your house.

Two smart steps before day one

Review your proposal. Make sure everything you want done is included or gets added to the scope. People often collect quotes from multiple companies and forget which details were discussed with which one.

Look your house over closely. Note any pre-existing damage such as old paint drips or broken items. We'll do a thorough evaluation of the work with you at the end, and this step prevents confusion over damage that existed before we arrived. Our crew will take notes of anything they find to assist you. And to be clear: we're not perfect, and it is a construction site. If a problem is caused by us, we will certainly take care of it.

If you need help with anything, just let us know.

Question 9

Why do you power wash before painting?

Answer

The power wash removes dirt and debris from the surface of your property so the paint adheres properly. It's the foundation of a long-lasting job.

The wash typically happens a couple of days before the project starts, though in some cases it may take place the day of. There's a required dry time afterward. Sometimes a couple of hours is enough, but in most cases we like to let the house dry overnight before paint goes on.

Question 10

Will someone walk the project with me before work starts?

Answer

Yes. When the project is ready to start, someone from our project management team will walk the site with you and the crew. The scope of work is communicated along with the other details of the project, so everyone starts on the same page: you, the Project Manager, and the crew doing the work.

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Exterior Painting