How to prep and paint mock Tudor beams?

[Sard]

Hi all,

I'm planning to paint the front of my house and struggling to know what to do about my mock Tudor beams. I honestly can't tell if they are real wood! In some places I have cracks that appear like wood and in other places it feels like a plastic. Also the artex type render in some places has shrunk back from the beams.

Any guidance on what I should do to a) prep the beams and how to deal with the separation between the beams and artex render?

Thanks!

 

[blup]

Sadolin exterior stain

Blup

 

[Sard]

Sadolin exterior stain

Blup

Thanks, what kind of prep would be required for the beams?

 

[blup]

Just a light sanding IMO

Blup

 

[Sard]

Thanks, how about where the render has shrunk back from the wood?

 

[Bosswhite]

Decorators Caulk