2026 Home Painting Prep

Your list of must-haves for that new painting project

By: Brett Alexander-Estes

Mar 2, 2026

Extending the floor tiles’ neutral tint into the surrounding molding achieves an easy but effective accent. Photo Courtesy Dream Decor Home Staging
Extending the floor tiles’ neutral tint into the surrounding molding achieves an easy but effective accent. Photo Courtesy Dream Decor Home Staging

As springtime rains taper off, it’s time for a painting refresh or repair of your home’s interiors and exteriors.

When choosing the ideal paint color for your project, also consider its environmental sustainability, with non-VOC (volatile organic compounds) and water-based paints recommended by most experts.

You also need to prep the areas you want to beautify.

Nick Sonoda, director of paint at HPM Building Supply, recommends the following steps and supplies for prepping typical Hawai‘i house surfaces — wood, drywall, masonry and metal — in average condition.

“These are the products I genuinely stand behind — a mix of classics I’ve trusted for years and newer solutions that have proven themselves. Every single one will save you time,” Sonoda says.

“You’ll notice some products recommended for multiple surfaces, and that’s intentional. Why stock up on five different specialty items when one quality product can handle several jobs? It’s about working smarter and keeping more money in your pocket for the finishes that really matter.”

After removing rust, you can patch, prime and repaint exterior metal railings like the ones shown here.
The space before painting and staging. Photos Courtesy Dream Decor Home Staging

Step 1: Clean

Remove dirt, mildew and oil from wood, drywall, masonry and metal with:

  • Jomax House Cleaner and Mildew Killer to clean wood, masonry and metal exteriors.
  • Household bleach (1 part bleach, 3 parts water) for interior cleaning of mildew or mold.
  • Simple Green for cleaning grease, oil or other contamination.

Step 2: Sand and Smooth Wood and Drywall

  • Norton abrasives (sandpaper, sanding blocks, etc.) help create desired wood or drywall surface profiles quickly.
  • Random Orbital Sanders make wood and drywall jobs even faster.

Sand and Smooth Metal

  • Bondo Body Filler for fast drying and easy sanding when repairing damages.
  • Wire brushes, or wire wheels on a powered grinder (pick whichever brand gives … the best vendor support) for fast, efficient rust removal.
Photos Courtesy HPM Building Supply/Benjamin Moore

Step 3: Patch and Prime Wood

  • MH Ready Patch for jobs where durability is important.
  • ALLPRO Lifetime Pro Stretch Elastomeric Caulk for extreme flexibility and elongation.
  • Benjamin Moore Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer 046 for sealing the surface, promoting adhesion and blocking stains with fast one-hour recoat time.

Patch and Prime Drywall

  • Homax wall patching kits and spray texture for repairing small textured areas.
  • Fast ’N Final for easy and fast patching jobs.
  • ALLPRO Lifetime Pro Stretch Elastomeric Caulk for extreme flexibility and elongation.
  • Benjamin Moore Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer 046 for sealing the surface, promoting adhesion and blocking stains with fast one-hour recoat time.

Patch and Prime Masonry

  • MH Ready Patch for jobs where durability is important.
  • ALLPRO Lifetime Pro Stretch Elastomeric Caulk for extreme flexibility and elongation when cracking occurs.
  • Benjamin Moore Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer 046 for sealing the surface, promoting adhesion and blocking stains with fast one-hour recoat time.

Patch and Prime Metal

  • Ospho Rust Treatment to kill any remaining rust after removing loose rust will provide a longer-lasting paint job.
  • Benjamin Moore HP High Performance Acrylic Metal Primer HP1100 will help hold off rust from occurring better than normal multi-purpose primers.

Step 4: Load Your Brush and Guest List

Who’s coming to your post-painting party?

This story appears in the March/April 2026 print issue of Ku‘u Home magazine.