Paint can bridge small perforations and screens, reducing a vent's usable openings. Compare coated sections with unobstructed sections and coordinate an appropriate repair before repainting.
Inspect the painted product
If soffits were recently painted, compare clear photographs of affected and unaffected sections from a safe location. Record whether the coating appears to bridge openings rather than assuming every painted panel has the same condition. Ask the contractor to identify the vent product if possible. The discussion should concern the installed openings and the appropriate remedy, not a guess based solely on the color or age of the finish.
Coordinate repair with the painter
Before another coat is applied, agree on who will assess the vents and whether cleaning, replacement or a different treatment is appropriate. Avoid telling a painter to drill extra holes or remove screens without a product-specific plan. Ask how the selected repair will preserve the intended vent construction. Include trim, color matching and access equipment in the scope so these practical items do not become disputes after the roofing work is finished.
Keep a clear completion record
Photograph the same sections after the agreed work. If some panels remain inaccessible, identify them separately rather than describing all soffits as corrected. Share the vent information with future painting contractors and place it with the exterior finish schedule. When evaluating an attic complaint, note the repainting date alongside any other changes. A timing correlation can guide an investigation, but it does not by itself establish that paint caused every heat or moisture concern.
An owner preparing an exterior painting contract can attach the vent photographs to that contract before work begins. Ask the painter to flag any questionable panels rather than burying them in the general preparation scope. If the roofing contractor recommends replacement, decide the sequence and finish responsibility together so newly installed vent components are not immediately treated without reference to their instructions.
For related project preparation, see roof ventilation changes during replacement and roof replacement sequencing with attic insulation work. Bring the relevant photographs and existing proposal to Perkins when discussing the roof-specific scope.
Technical references: GAF: attic ventilation products; GAF: proper attic ventilation. These references provide background; the selected assembly and applicable project requirements determine the installation detail.