Patch or prime first

[Walter R.]

I am repairing some facia boards that had dry rot. I scraped most of the paint off, too.

Should I patch the damaged areas with flexible patching compound and then apply a primer? Or, should I prime first the whole board first and then patch the damaged areas?

[roger61611]

Patch 1st.

[The hooligan]

Prime first, that way you will harden up exsisting wood and give the patching compound something good to bond to. After patch is dry, and sanded smooth prime again. The poster who told you to patch first is deceiving you with his ignorance

[Walter R.]

Thanks. That's what I just started to do. Makes more sense.

[Alan]

Make sure you use a quality primer, and do it with a brush by hand, not with paint sprayer or roller. Patch, sand, and paint again.

Walter R. wrote:

[NickySantoro]

You might want to consider using a wood hardener first. I've had excellent results with the Minwax product although I'm sure others produce it also. You can check the Minwax website for details.