Exterior Painting in Traverse City & Leelanau
Prep and paint chosen for freeze-thaw, lake humidity and the sun on south- and west-facing walls.
M22 Fresh Coats paints house exteriors in Traverse City, Leelanau County and the lake towns around them. Every exterior starts with a wash, scraping, sanding, spot priming and caulking, then two coats of Sherwin-Williams paint chosen for freeze-thaw and lake exposure. The exterior season runs roughly May through October.
What is included in an exterior paint job?
Wash
We clean dirt, chalk, algae and mildew off every surface and let the house dry.
Scrape and sand
Failed paint comes off. Edges get sanded so new paint holds.
Minor wood repair
We fill small rot and open joints, and replace nothing without your approval.
Spot priming
Bare wood, stains and repairs get primer before topcoat.
Caulk
We seal trim joints, corners and gaps that let water in.
Two finish coats
Siding, trim, doors and shutters get two coats.
Protection
We cover windows, plants, decks and walkways.
Cleanup and walkthrough
We remove debris and walk the house with you.
What is not included?
- Siding, fascia or trim replacement. We flag it, and your carpenter or ours quotes it as a separate item.
- Roof, gutter and window repair.
- Tree and shrub trimming against the house. We ask you to cut back growth that touches the walls.
- Masonry repair, stucco repair and structural work.
What makes a Northern Michigan exterior different?
Why does lake exposure change the prep?
Freeze-thaw cycles pull water into small gaps, then split the paint film when it freezes. Lake-effect humidity keeps north walls damp and grows mildew. South- and west-facing lake elevations take the heaviest UV, which chalks and fades paint first. That is why the lake side gets washed, scraped and caulked first, and gets Emerald Exterior.
How do you handle cedar, log and painted trim?
Cedar and log need different prep and different products than smooth siding. We use WoodScapes for cedar and log stain, and Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel on trim, doors and shutters. See Deck, siding and specialty finishes.
When is the exterior season?
Spring is for washing, scraping and repair. Summer is the main paint window. Early fall works when the forecast holds. Read When to paint an exterior in Northern Michigan.
How does an exterior paint job run?
Walkthrough
We walk every elevation, probe for soft wood and photograph problem spots.
Wash
Clean the surfaces, then wait for them to dry.
Scrape, sand and repair
Remove failed paint, sand edges, fill and replace as agreed.
Prime and caulk
Bare wood gets primer. Joints get sealed.
Paint
Two coats, brushed, rolled or sprayed, in dry weather on dry surfaces.
Cleanup and walkthrough
We check the house with you and touch up before we leave.
Which Sherwin-Williams exterior paints do you use?
- Emerald Exterior. Premium paint and primer in one. Our first choice for lake-facing elevations.
- Duration Exterior. A thick film that resists peeling and blistering.
- SuperPaint Exterior and A-100. Lower-priced lines for sheltered walls that do not face the lake.
- Loxon. Alkali-resistant coating for masonry, block and stucco.
- Primers. Extreme Bond for glossy or problem surfaces. PrepRite ProBlock for stains.
Compare the two premium lines in Emerald vs Duration for a lakefront home.
What do M22 exteriors look like?
These are example photos. Our own job photos go up as we finish them.
Cedar-shingle cottage with white trim on a dune above the lake. 
Log home with a honey-colored finish and charcoal trim in the woods. 
Blue clapboard house with cream porch trim and a navy front door, the bay behind.
What affects the cost of exterior painting?
Siding type, square footage, number of stories, trim detail and the amount of scraping and repair set the price. Cedar and log take more prep than smooth siding. Paint line adds to the cost on the premium end.
Exterior painting questions
Can you paint a lake house exterior in September?
Often yes. September gives warm days and dry afternoons, and it sits inside the Northern Michigan exterior season. Cool nights, morning dew and shorter days narrow the working hours, so we start late in the morning and watch the forecast and the surface temperature. If the week turns wet, we move the job and do not paint over moisture.
When is the best time to paint the outside of a house in Northern Michigan?
The exterior season runs roughly May through October. Late spring and summer give the longest dry stretches and the most reliable surface temperatures. Spring is the time to wash, scrape and repair so the paint goes on in summer. Fall works when the forecast cooperates. Book early for lake-facing houses, because the good weeks fill first.
Are you insured and licensed to paint in Traverse City?
Ask for a certificate of insurance before any work starts, from us or any contractor you hire. We send current paperwork on request.
Book your exterior
Send photos of each side of the house and your town. We tell you what the house needs and when we are in your area next.
Tell us about your exterior project
Based in Traverse City
Written scope before any work