Simple, practical steps to keep exterior paint and finishes from failing during Kathmandu's monsoon season.
Surface prep matters more than paint quality
Paint applied over a damp, dirty, or poorly patched wall will peel regardless of how good the paint itself is. Proper prep — cleaning, patching cracks, and letting surfaces dry fully — is what actually determines how long exterior paint lasts.
Choose finishes rated for exterior exposure
Interior-grade paints used outdoors fade and crack quickly under direct sun and rain cycles. Exterior work should always use paints and coatings specifically rated for weather exposure, even if it costs more upfront.
Check drainage before repainting
Repainting a wall that has an ongoing water drainage problem just hides the issue temporarily. It's worth checking gutters, downpipes, and slope away from the foundation before any exterior colouring work begins.
Time the work around the season
Painting right before monsoon season means the finish doesn't get enough time to cure properly. Exterior colouring work is best scheduled with enough dry weather ahead of it to let coatings set fully.