25 Years
Transferable warranty
8-10x
Thicker than paint
Class A
Fire & smoke rating
1,500+
Georgia homes coated
How Is Rhino Shield Applied? The 11-Step Exterior Coating Process
Rhino Shield is applied through an 11-step exterior coating process that prepares, repairs, primes, coats, and inspects the home’s exterior. Proper surface preparation and application help the coating bond correctly and support long-term performance.
Why Does the Process Matter for Georgia Homes?
Georgia exteriors are exposed to heat, humidity, heavy rain, UV exposure, and seasonal temperature changes. Thorough preparation helps create a clean, stable surface so the Rhino Shield coating system can adhere and perform as intended.
What Protects the Finished Coating?
Qualifying Rhino Shield installations are backed by a 25-year transferable warranty covering qualifying issues such as chipping, cracking, and peeling. Homeowners can also learn what Rhino Shield is and review its testing and performance data.
Author: Lauren Seibold | Director of Organic Marketing
The Process at a Glance:
- Exterior inspection
- Pressure washing and cleaning
- Surface preparation
- Removal of loose or failing paint
- Necessary exterior repairs
- Caulking and sealing
- Masking and property protection
- Adhesive primer application
- Protective base coat
- Durable finish coat
- Final inspection and cleanup
Inspection
A Rhino Shield representative inspects the exterior to identify areas that may need additional attention, including rotted or damaged wood, failing surfaces, and stucco repairs. The inspection is used to develop a project-specific work plan before installation begins. Homeowners can learn more about Rhino Shield Georgia’s inspection and repair process.
Cleaning & Pressure Washing
Exterior surfaces are thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt, mildew, algae, chalking, and other contaminants that could interfere with adhesion. The surface must be clean and properly prepared before the coating system can be applied.
Patching & Exterior Repairs
Damaged areas are repaired before coating begins. Depending on the home, this may include wood replacement, patching, stucco repair, caulking, or other substrate repairs needed to create a sound exterior surface.
Scraping & Surface Preparation
Loose, peeling, or failing coatings are scraped and prepared so Rhino Shield is applied to a stable, bondable surface. Sanding or additional preparation may be used where necessary to remove remaining failing material.
Caulking & Sealing
Cracks, seams, joints, and vulnerable areas around windows, doors, trim, and other exterior transitions are sealed with appropriate caulking. This step helps close gaps that could otherwise allow exterior moisture to enter the surface.
Masking & Property Protection
Windows, doors, fixtures, landscaping, and other areas that are not being coated are carefully masked or covered. This protects the surrounding property during primer and finish-coat application.
Full-Surface Priming
Unlike spot priming, Rhino Shield uses a full-area primer-sealer designed to seal the prepared substrate and create a bonding layer for the ceramic finish coat. The primer is an important part of the two-coat Rhino Shield system and helps support adhesion and moisture resistance. Learn more about how the Rhino Shield coating system works.
Ceramic Finish Coat Application
After preparation and priming, the Rhino Shield ceramic finish coat is applied at a high film thickness. Rhino Shield Georgia states that the finish coat is applied at approximately 100 square feet per gallon, with brushing or back rolling used in certain areas when needed.
Detail Work & Touch-Ups
The installation team reviews edges, trim, transitions, and other detailed or hard-to-reach areas. Necessary touch-ups are completed to create a consistent finished appearance across the coated exterior.
cleanup
Protective masking and coverings are removed, temporarily moved items are returned, and job-site debris is cleared. The goal is to return the property to a clean, finished condition once application is complete.
Final Homeowner Inspection
The completed project is reviewed with the homeowner and crew lead so any remaining items can be identified and addressed. Qualifying installations are then supported by Rhino Shield’s 25-year transferable warranty.
Rhino Shield Installation FAQs
for Georgia Homeowners
How does Georgia weather affect the Rhino Shield installation process?
Georgia’s heat, humidity, rain, and changing seasonal conditions can affect when exterior preparation, priming, and coating can be completed. Surfaces need to be properly prepared and sufficiently dry before coating, so weather conditions may occasionally adjust the project schedule. During the initial Rhino Shield inspection, the team develops a project-specific work plan and projected timeline based on the home and installation conditions.
What happens if wood rot or stucco cracks are found before coating?
Damaged exterior materials are addressed before the coating system is applied. Depending on the condition of the home, preparation may include wood replacement, patching, sanding, caulking, or stucco repair. Rhino Shield Georgia’s inspection and repair services specifically identify rotted wood, damaged siding, holes, and other surface conditionsthat can interfere with coating performance.
Why does a Georgia home need to be cleaned before Rhino Shield is applied?
Dirt, mildew, algae, chalking, oil, and other contaminants can interfere with the coating’s ability to bond to the exterior. Rhino Shield therefore begins with thorough cleaning, often including pressure washing, before primer or finish coating is applied. Moisture management is particularly important in humid environments; the U.S. EPA also identifies moisture control and cleaning existing biological growth as important parts of controlling mold.
Why does Rhino Shield use full-surface primer instead of only spot priming?
Rhino Shield’s process uses full-area priming to create a consistent bonding layer between the prepared exterior and the ceramic finish coat. The primer also helps seal the prepared substrate and supports the coating system’s resistance to moisture. Homeowners can see how the primer and finish coat work together on the What Is Rhino Shield? page.
How are windows, landscaping, and other parts of my property protected during installation?
Before spraying begins, areas that are not being coated are masked, covered, or temporarily removed. This can include windows, doors, light fixtures, shutters, gutters or drainpipes, landscaping, lawns, decks, and roofing areas. These protective measures are part of Rhino Shield Georgia’s 11-step installation process and help keep the application controlled and the surrounding property protected.
Does the Rhino Shield preparation process change for different Georgia homes?
The same core 11-step process is followed, but the amount and type of preparation can vary based on the home’s substrate and condition. A wood-sided Atlanta home with peeling paint may require substantial scraping and wood repair, while a stucco home may require crack repair and patching before coating. Rhino Shield Georgia works on a range of exterior materials across its Georgia service areas, so the inspection determines which preparation steps are needed for each property.
What factors can make a Rhino Shield project take longer?
Project timing can vary based on home size, number of stories, access, existing paint condition, wood rot, stucco damage, required repairs, and weather. Rhino Shield Georgia identifies extensive scraping, wood repair, stucco cracking, and difficult access as factors that can increase the amount of work required. The initial inspection helps determine the scope before installation begins. Learn more about the factors involved on the Rhino Shield Georgia Pricing & Cost page.
Does the installation process differ between Atlanta, North Georgia, and coastal Georgia?
The core Rhino Shield installation process remains the same throughout Georgia, but preparation needs can differ based on the home, substrate, existing damage, and local exposure. Homes in different parts of the state may experience different combinations of humidity, sunlight, rainfall, seasonal temperature changes, vegetation, and coastal exposure, so the initial inspection determines what repairs and preparation are appropriate before coating begins. Rhino Shield serves homeowners throughout Atlanta, North Georgia, Savannah, St. Simons Island, and other Georgia communities.
What happens during the final walkthrough of a Rhino Shield project?
After touch-ups, removal of masking, and cleanup are complete, the homeowner reviews the finished project with the team lead. Any remaining items can be identified before the installation is considered complete. Qualifying installations are then supported by Rhino Shield Georgia’s 25-year transferable warranty, with the specific written warranty terms applying to each project.