Before any work is undertaken on removing paint and/or repainting on exterior historic wood surface, a careful evaluation of the surface conditions should be made to determine the nature of the problem, e.g., normal aging, paint breakdown due to misapplication, underlying structural problems. If paint removal is required (cosmetic reasons alone should not justify this), the gentlest means possible should be used to remove paint to the next sound level. The surface should then be prepared to allow proper adhesion of a new paint layer.