Hey, Brad here. One of the most common questions I get is "how long should my paint (or stain) actually last?" The short answer: less than you'd hope, especially in Central Otago.
Our altitude, UV intensity and temperature swings are significantly harder on exterior coatings than most of New Zealand. Here's what I've seen after 16 years of painting and staining across Wanaka, Queenstown, Arrowtown and Cromwell.
How Long Does Exterior Paint Last in Central Otago?
It depends on the coating type, the product quality and which direction the wall faces.
| Coating | Typical Lifespan | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic paint (quality brand) | 8–12 years | North/west faces wear faster — expect the lower end |
| Budget paint | 5–7 years | Fades and chalks quickly under alpine UV |
| Penetrating timber stain | 2–4 years | Wears gradually rather than peeling — easier to maintain |
| Film-forming stain | 3–5 years | Can peel if moisture gets underneath |
| Cedar oil/stain | 2–3 years | High-UV faces may need attention every 2 years |
The key factor here is UV. Wanaka sits at altitude with thin atmosphere and strong lake reflection. North and west-facing walls cop the worst of it and will always need attention sooner than sheltered or south-facing sides.
For more on cedar specifically, see our cedar staining services and the full cedar care guide.
Signs Your Exterior Needs Attention
Not sure whether your place is due? Here's what to look for:
Cosmetic — Schedule It Soon
- Fading or chalking — rub your hand on the paint. If you get a powdery residue, the UV has broken down the surface
- Stain losing colour — timber starting to look grey or washed out
- Minor flaking — small patches on exposed faces, especially around window frames
- Dirty or stained areas — mould, algae or tannin streaks
At this stage, prep work is minimal and a repaint or re-stain goes on smoothly and bonds well. This is the ideal time to act.
Urgent — Don't Wait
- Bare timber showing — stain or paint has worn away completely
- Cracking or peeling in large sections — coating is failing
- Soft spots or swelling — moisture is getting into the timber
- Visible rot or dark patches — damage has started
- Caulking and sealant pulling away from joins
Once you're seeing bare wood or rot, the cost of the job goes up significantly because of the extra prep and possible timber repairs involved.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long
This is where it gets expensive. I see it regularly — homeowners put off repainting by a year or two, and a straightforward repaint turns into a much bigger job:
- Paint that's just faded needs a wash, light sand and two coats. Straightforward.
- Paint that's cracking and peeling needs scraping, sanding back to a solid edge, spot-priming and often three coats. Double the prep time.
- Bare, weathered timber may need full sanding, timber treatment, a primer coat and two topcoats. Sometimes boards need replacing.
The difference in cost between "a bit faded" and "it's peeling everywhere" can easily be $3,000–$8,000+ on a typical Wanaka home — and that's just the extra prep and repair work on top of the paint job itself.
For stained cedar and timber, the gap is even more dramatic. Re-staining timber that still has colour is a one-day job on most houses. Restoring grey, weathered cedar can take a full week of sanding before the first coat goes on. Learn more about our cedar staining and restoration services.
Related: Our exterior painting services cover everything from touch-ups to full repaints across Wanaka, Albert Town, Hawea and Luggate.
When to Call a Painter
If you're noticing any of these, it's worth getting a professional eye on it:
- Your paint is more than 8 years old and you haven't had it assessed
- Stain is more than 3 years old on sun-exposed faces
- You can see bare wood anywhere on the exterior
- Caulking has cracked or pulled away from window and door frames
- You're planning to sell in the next couple of years — exterior condition is the first thing buyers notice
A quick inspection takes 20 minutes and gives you a clear picture of what needs doing now versus what can wait.
A Simple Maintenance Plan
The easiest way to avoid a big bill is to stay on top of small maintenance:
- Annually: Walk around your house in autumn. Look at the north and west faces. Check window sills, fascia boards and any timber that catches weather.
- Every 2–3 years: Get a painter to do a quick assessment. Touch up any worn areas before they become bigger problems.
- Every 8–12 years (paint) or 3–5 years (stain): Plan for a full repaint or re-stain. Budget for it and book ahead — good painters in Wanaka are busy through the warmer months.
The Bottom Line
Most homeowners contact us about 1–2 years later than ideal. A quick look now can often save thousands in prep work.
If you're not sure where your place sits, I'm happy to swing past and give you an honest assessment — no obligation, no pressure. I'll tell you what needs doing now, what can wait, and roughly what it'll cost either way.
