How to Avoid a Red Paint Disaster: This Primer Trick Changes Everything

This repaint was completed in the Little Italy section of Bloomfield, a historic neighborhood in Pittsburgh known for its charm, character, and deeply rooted community pride. The project focused on a 1,200-square-foot home that had recently undergone a full renovation. The final piece of the puzzle? A complete exterior painting service to bring the revitalized structure to life.

Four Pillars Paint was hired to deliver a premium exterior transformation—not just a new color, but a flawless finish that respected the architectural bones of the house while giving it fresh personality and curb appeal. The total project cost fell between $8,000–$10,000, covering prep, primer, high-performance coatings, and four days of labor. Though modest in square footage, the detail level was high. Bold color choices, multiple coats, and precise trim work made this a statement project in the heart of the city.

This home had history—and it showed. Years of weathering, fading paint, and previous patch jobs had dulled its original character. Fortunately, a full renovation had already started to bring it back to life. Once the structure and interior were updated, all that was left was the exterior—and that’s where Four Pillars Paint came in.

The homeowners were referred by a trusted architect we’ve worked with on multiple projects. They were looking for a painting contractor known for precision, planning, and excellent communication. We were honored to be recommended and even more excited when we heard the color vision: deep, classic red with charcoal trim. That kind of bold exterior palette takes more than just paint—it takes expertise.

Red is one of the toughest colors to paint with due to its coverage challenges. The homeowner had seen other red-painted homes turn patchy or fade prematurely. We walked them through our approach, explained why tinted primer was critical, and assured them the “pink phase” in the middle of the project was just part of the process. That trust was everything—and it paid off in the final result.

• Initial Consultation & Color Strategy: Discussed color selections, reviewed substrate conditions, and developed a custom priming approach for full red coverage.

• Pressure Washing: Cleaned the entire home exterior to remove dirt, dust, mildew, and peeling paint prior to sanding and priming.

• Window Caulking: Re-caulked all window and door perimeters to seal gaps, ensure water protection, and prep for clean paint lines.

• Priming Siding: Applied tinted Sherwin-Williams Extreme Bond Primer, matched to the final red color, to ensure optimal coverage and adhesion.

• Priming Trim, Soffit & Fascia: Used primer to prepare high-touch and detailed areas around the house for topcoat bonding.

• Painting Siding: Applied two full coats of Sherwin-Williams Duration Acrylic Latex in Rookwood Red (SW 2802) for a vibrant, even finish.

• Painting Soffit & Fascia: Coated all upper perimeter elements in Peppercorn (SW 7674), using brushwork to maintain edge precision.

• Painting Exterior Trim: Detailed the window and door trim in Peppercorn to complement the body color and highlight the home’s lines.

The transformation was dramatic and deeply satisfying. What was once a tired, outdated home is now a bold standout on the street, with eye-catching red siding and rich charcoal trim that feels both modern and respectful of the home’s roots.

The tinted primer paid off—there were no blotchy areas, no streaks, and no uneven color jumps. The finish was clean and consistent from every angle. Even better, the materials used will stand up to Pittsburgh’s tough winters and hot summers with minimal maintenance.

“We had no idea painting red was this complicated,” the homeowner told us. “But Four Pillars Paint explained everything and made it look effortless. The final result is absolutely worth it—it’s exactly what we hoped for.”

The house now matches the quality of the renovation work inside and feels complete. And for Four Pillars Paint, it was a chance to bring color, craftsmanship, and confidence to a beautiful old home with a new beginning.