Hello!

We purchased our home about 2yrs ago, knowing we would have to paint, but it looked all right.

After 2 Michigan winters, there are large 'holes' where paint has peeled/fallen off & exposed the original? Stained shakes underneath. Upon closer look (we are inept in this sort of thing & were busy w/ babies the past 2yrs) it appears that someone already had 'touched-up' the areas where the paint is chipping... it appears those areas are lighter. :mad:

The paint is mauve, the stain underneath is dark green... it all looks terrible. What to do?

The shake seems to be in good condition, although, it's hard to tell since it has been painted over to the degree that in most areas the grooves no longer show. Also, around the bottom perimeter, there is some cracking on the very bottom of the shingles.

Can you strip cedar shake w/out damaging it? If so, what is the best way to do this?

Is it likely w/ this much chipping that it is even capable of retaining paint? We are having estimates done, but I want to be prepared to ask the right questions... as well as not pay for a service only to find out in a few years that we should have replaced it all to begin with.

Any information/advice will be SUPREMELY appreciated, thanks in advance!!!!