Substrate and Repairs

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Rhino Shield is more than just an exterior coating—it’s a complete system designed to enhance your home’s durability, beauty, and protection. Our specialized approach ensures that every surface we coat receives the right preparation, expert application, and long-lasting results. In this article, we’ll explain what we do, what we don’t, and how we handle repairs for surfaces like stucco, Hardie Plank®, and wood, giving you a clear picture of why Rhino Shield is trusted by homeowners nationwide.

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what we do

At Rhino Shield, we specialize in applying our ceramic elastomeric coating to a variety of exterior surfaces, ensuring long-lasting protection against weather, water intrusion, and wear. Here’s what we offer:

Surfaces We Coat:

  • Wood: Includes siding, trim, and fascia boards.
  • Stucco: Common on modern and Mediterranean-style homes.
  • Hardie Plank®: A durable fiber cement siding material.
  • Brick and Block: Great for sealing porous masonry surfaces.
  • Vinyl Siding: Depending on the gauge (thickness) of the siding.
  • Metal Surfaces: With rust-inhibiting primers applied first.

How We Ensure Long-Term Protection:

  • Waterproof and Breathable: Rhino Shield creates a durable, waterproof seal that also allows trapped moisture to escape, reducing issues like mold and mildew.
  • Weather Resistance: Our coating withstands intense UV rays, high humidity, and heavy rain—critical for homes in harsh climates like Florida.
  • Rust Prevention: While Rhino Shield alone isn’t a rust-proofing solution, we apply industry-leading rust inhibitor primers to metal surfaces before coating them. This two-step process helps slow down rust formation and prolongs the life of metal features.

historic building protection

We are frequently trusted by historic preservation commissions to coat and protect iconic homes and buildings. Our experience with historic structures allows us to maintain delicate exteriors while preserving surface textures and ensuring long-lasting protection through breathable coatings.

what we don't do

While Rhino Shield is one of the most durable and versatile exterior coatings available, there are some specific applications and situations where it is not recommended. Here’s what we don’t do:

why preparation matters:

Proper preparation is non-negotiable when applying Rhino Shield. If the surface isn’t cleaned, repaired, and primed correctly, the coating won’t perform as intended. That’s why our professional teams follow a meticulous preparation process, ensuring that your home is fully ready for long-term protection.

how we handle repairs

Before Rhino Shield’s coating is applied, surface repairs are an essential part of the process. Here’s how we address common exterior repairs to create a solid, long-lasting foundation:

diy painters, swatch rail

stucco repairs

Stucco is a popular home exterior material, but its porous nature makes it prone to cracks and water damage. Here’s how we handle stucco repairs:

diy painters, swatch rail

hardie plank repairs

Hardie Plank® is an incredibly durable siding material but can still develop gaps, cracks, or warping due to weather exposure. Here’s how we prepare and repair it:

diy painters, swatch rail

wood repairs

Wood exteriors require extra care due to their vulnerability to rot, cracking, and insect damage. Here’s how we ensure wood surfaces are properly prepped:

why repairs are critical

Neglecting necessary repairs before applying an exterior coating can compromise your home’s protection and appearance. Rhino Shield’s 11-step process includes a full inspection, detailed repairs, and precise application to ensure every surface is in the best condition possible before we apply our durable, long-lasting ceramic coating.

FAQ: Rhino Shield Surfaces and Repairs

Rhino Shield can be applied to a wide range of surfaces, including wood, stucco, Hardie Plank®, brick, block, vinyl siding (depending on thickness), and metal. For metal projects, we use rust-inhibiting primers first to ensure long-term durability.

Yes, Rhino Shield is often chosen for historic homes because our breathable coating protects delicate surfaces without altering the original texture or appearance.

Rhino Shield itself is not a rust-proofing solution, but when combined with our industry-leading rust-inhibiting primers, it significantly slows down rust formation and extends the life of metal features.

Repairs are essential because they create a strong foundation for the coating. Fixing issues like wood rot, stucco cracks, or gaps in Hardie Plank® ensures the surface is stable, smooth, and ready for long-term protection.

For stucco, cracks and porous areas are sealed to prevent water intrusion. Hardie Plank® repairs involve fixing gaps and warping to restore siding integrity. Wood repairs focus on replacing or restoring rotted or damaged sections to ensure the coating bonds properly and provides lasting protection.

Certain situations are not ideal for Rhino Shield, such as extremely thin vinyl siding or surfaces where repairs are skipped. During the inspection, our team will let you know if your home is a good candidate.