Exterior painting built for coastal weather, not catalog weather
Between Arroyo Grande and the beach, a house takes marine fog most mornings and full sun most afternoons. That cycle is what lifts paint off south and west elevations first. Coatings alone do not solve it. The wash, the scrape, the primer and the caulk joint do. We build the exterior from the substrate up.
- CSLB #976750
- Fully insured
- Owner-operated since 2006
Written into the scope, not assumed.
Every line below appears on your estimate. If something is not listed, ask. We would rather over-explain than surprise you.
Full wash before anything else
Salt film, chalking and mildew get pressure washed off. Paint applied over chalk will peel no matter what you paid for it.
Scrape, sand and feather
Failing paint comes off, and edges get feathered so you do not see the old paint line telegraphing through the new coat.
Bare-wood and stain-blocking primer
Every bare spot gets spot-primed. Tannin-prone wood and water stains get a blocking primer so they do not bleed through.
Caulk the joints that actually leak
Trim-to-siding, window and door casings, and butt joints. We do not caulk siding lap joints shut. They need to breathe.
Dry rot and damaged wood flagged
Soft trim, fascia and casing get found at the wash stage, shown to you, and replaced before paint.
Premium exterior topcoats
Two coats on the field where the substrate calls for it, and UV- and mildew-resistant products chosen for your exposure.
Step by step, start to walkthrough.
Stucco, hardboard, T1-11, wood siding, fascia, eaves, fences and outbuildings throughout Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach and Nipomo.
- 01
Exposure walk
We look at each elevation separately. South and west almost always need a different spec than north.
- 02
Written estimate
Surfaces, prep level, repairs, product line, sheen and coat count, all itemized, with a start window.
- 03
Wash
Whole exterior pressure washed and left to dry fully. Painting damp siding is how coatings fail early.
- 04
Repair and prep
Scrape, sand, replace rotted wood, reset fasteners, prime bare substrate, caulk the right joints.
- 05
Body, trim, accents
Sequenced so overspray and cut lines land where they should. Landscaping and hardscape stay masked.
- 06
Final walk
We walk the perimeter with you and pull the masking only after you have signed off.
People who already had us out.
“Gus did a terrific job on painting my exterior trim and garage door. Beautiful quality work!”
“Piñon Painting has been a great company to work with: professional, communicative and genuinely easy to deal with from the estimate through the final walkthrough.”
“I called and they were able to come within the hour. Responsive when I needed someone quickly, and the work held up.”
About exterior painting
What time of year is best for exterior painting on the Central Coast?
Late spring through early fall is ideal: long dry windows and a lighter marine layer. That said, we paint year-round here and simply watch dew point and surface temperature. What we will not do is paint a wall that has not dried out after a wash or a foggy night.
How long will an exterior paint job last here?
With full prep and quality coatings, seven to ten years is a fair expectation on most Central Coast homes. Ocean-facing and heavily sun-exposed elevations wear faster and may want a refresh sooner. Any painter who promises a flat number without seeing your house is guessing.
Do you spray, or brush and roll?
Both, deliberately. Spraying lays a uniform film on stucco and rough siding; back-rolling or back-brushing works it into the surface so it bonds. Trim, doors and detail work are brushed. The estimate says which method is used where.
What happens if you find dry rot?
We stop, show it to you, and price the repair separately before we continue. Painting over soft wood hides the problem for one season and costs you the whole job the next.
Will you protect my landscaping and driveway?
Yes. Plants are covered, hardscape is masked and the perimeter is protected before any spraying starts. We also pick up masking and debris daily rather than letting it blow around the neighborhood.
Get a written estimate for exterior painting.
Tell us what you are working with. Gus will call to set up a walkthrough, usually the same or next business day.
Prefer to talk? (805) 234-0762
Mon–Fri 7am–6pm · Sat 8am–2pm
Exterior Painting across the Five Cities and SLO County.
- Arroyo GrandeHome base. Same-day estimate visits are usually possible.
- Pismo BeachAbout 10 minutes from our Arroyo Grande shop.
- Grover BeachAbout 8 minutes from our Arroyo Grande shop.
- San Luis ObispoAbout 20 minutes up the 101 from Arroyo Grande.
- NipomoAbout 12 minutes south of our Arroyo Grande shop.
- Shell BeachAbout 12 minutes from our Arroyo Grande shop.
Other services
Interior Painting
Straight lines, even sheen, and prep that holds up long after the drop cloths come out.
What’s included
Cabinet Painting & Refinishing
A new kitchen finish for a fraction of replacement. Sprayed, cured and built to take daily use.
What’s included
Power Washing
Salt film, chalking and mildew off: the step that decides whether the next coat sticks.
What’s included
Decorative Finishes
Venetian plaster, limewash, glazes and distressed woodwork: the fine-finish side of the business.
What’s included
Light Carpentry
Rotted trim, fascia and casing replaced before paint, because paint does not fix wood.
What’s included
Tell us about your project
Send a few details or call and talk to Gus directly. You will get a written, itemized estimate, and a straight answer about what your home actually needs.