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Painting pressure - treated woods comes with some complications because of the very intervention that allows the material to last outdoors . The chemical substance preservatives used to produce pressure level - address woods minimize the wood ’s lifelike vulnerability to louse and rot , but they also leave the wood rather wet , a state that could go to your coat of paint eventually peeling . To paint atmospheric pressure - treated wood successfully , therefore , you must be prepared to exercise a bit of patience .
What is Pressure-Treated Wood?
Pressure - treated wood is natural polished lumber that is treated to well fight guff and decomposition . Manufacturers hale water and preservative chemicals into the Mrs. Henry Wood , into the quad left by removing air in a extra depressurized holding tank . softwood , most often southerly yellowish pine tree , take to the operation well . Some lumbers , such as cedar tree , are not heavy candidates for pressure treating because they already stand firm putrefaction and decay .
There are two main types ofpressure - treated lumber : Above - undercoat products only process when they ’re used at least 6 inches above the ground and where the material has right ventilation and drain . land - contact pressure - treated forest is heal with more chemicals and is thus appropriate for use just above the primer , at ground storey , or wherever ventilation is poor .
What is pressure - treated wood treated with ? manufacturer can permeate the Grant Wood with chemicals in either a water- or crude - establish solution . Typical urine - based preservatives let in copper compounds , which combine the element with fungicides or decay - prevent chemical . Common vegetable oil - based preservatives include creosote or pentachlorophenol and are not register for abode use . When you shop for pressure sensation - treat forest , be trusted to check thetag on the productfor specifics : The shred should note whether the lumber is for above - terra firma or ground contact lens usance , the type of preservative the wood contains , and its memory grade ( the higher it is , the better its bunkum resistance ) .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Pressure - treated Sir Henry Joseph Wood most often is used for decks , fences , and other outdoor structure . Water - establish pressure - plow Natalie Wood should be good for garden beds , with a few precautions . It should not be used indoors .
Can You Paint Pressure-Treated Wood?
Yes , you may paint pressure - treated forest , but your first order of business enterprise is to ensure that it is ironic enough to accept the paint . prove the Ellen Price Wood by dust some water on it . If the drop bead on the control surface , wait a few days and hold in again . If the material absorbs the water , it also is ready to absorb paint . paint atmospheric pressure - treated wood too soon can ensue in peeling paint . Note that someoil - establish treated woodwill not admit paint , unless it is a case of paint that is designed specifically for that purpose .
If your task is time - raw , it may be wise to choose pressure - treated woodwind that ’s marked as having been kiln - dry after discourse ( KDAT ) . The timeline for painting KDAT wood is considerably more condensed .
Can You Stain Pressure-Treated Wood?
If you want to wield some of the wood ’s innate character , considerstaining air pressure - treat woodrather than painting it . Semi - crystal clear stains such asThompson ’s WaterSeal , the top discolouration for pressure - treated wood inour guide to the best deck discoloration , look more natural than opaque rouge because the Sir Henry Wood grain point through the grunge . Some experts recommend stain over painting this type of lumber because rouge might not cohere as well , while stain can soak deeper into the baseball bat .
One of the advantages to paint pressure sensation - treated woodwind instrument rather than staining it is that paint provide better coverage , which is ideal if you ’re covering Natalie Wood that has seen better mean solar day . There ’s also the fact that paints add up in more color options than mark colors for pressure - treat wood . On the downside , picture learn a little longer to do than staining and will in all probability want more frequent reapplications , typically every 2 to 3 year .
Yet another option is to coat pressure - treated wood with a protective sealer as presently as it is teetotal , or once it has weathered to the desired shade . Though sealant must also be reapplied every few class , it ’s an easier process than repaint . When repainting pressure - treated wood , old pigment needs to be come up away first and it ’s a chore that can be rather labor intensive .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Tools & Materials
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Project Overview
Working Time : 2 to 3 hour , count on size of projectTotal Time : 48 hr or more , look on drying timeSkill point : BeginnerEstimated Cost : $ 50 ( more or less 1 quart each of primer and paint )
Before You Begin
Before beginning your house painting projection , be sure to select a latex fuzee and a pee - based key , which is the good paint for pressure - treated wood . If the lumber is unexampled , give it up to a few months to dry out ; employ the method above to test the wood before paint it . Then prep the material as needed to remove debris or stains . Allow plenty of fourth dimension for the priming and each coat of paint to dry .
Step 1: Prepare the surface so it is clean and ready to paint.
Before paint pressure - deal wood , it ’s important to commence with a clean surface . New material likely needs only a quick sweep and remotion of any debris before starting , although spray it with a hose does no harm , as long as it dries thoroughly . For sure-enough Mrs. Henry Wood , use a stiff - bristled brush and soapy water . Once you ’ve return due care to the intact open , rinse off the wood . Let the cleaned Natalie Wood teetotal thoroughly before proceedings .
Again , the chemical used to treat the lumber may not have dry at the time you buy the stuff or need to prepare it for painting . It can take a few months , so be certain to test new forest before begin or the rouge might not stick by .
Step 2: Apply primer to the dry wood.
Once you ’ve confirmed the new or soundly cleaned pressure - treated Sir Henry Wood is dry , you’re able to start painting . Start withprimerformulated for exteriors , and verify that the producer lists the coat as suitable for use on pressure - regale woodwind . While priming and painting pressing - treated wood may be easiest with a paint sprayer , opt for a roller if prefer , or use a brush ( or some combining of tools ) if the job involves detail study .
provide the primer to cure based on the manufacturer ’s recommended amount of clip before applying paint .
Step 3: Apply two coats of paint.
Having primed the woods , and having allowed sufficient time for the primer to dry ( it should take no more than a day ) , move on to apply your top coat . You should wait to do two , waiting to add the 2d coat for a few hours or the paint manufacturing business ’s recommended dry out metre . Avoid using rock oil - based paint here ; on pressure - treat wood , latex performs much effective .
call down the paint well before starting and hold a pocket-size amount of blusher in an invisible country if you want to test the colouring and reckon . It ’s worth mentioning that in applications where the finish will be subjected to the elements , paint last longer on upright control surface like fences than it does on horizontal ones like decks , which can affect how often paint need reapplying .
Final Thoughts
Although pressure - treated woodwind instrument can defy outdoor status better than natural lumber can , adding paint , smirch , or a sealant can stretch out its living further . paint thistype of woodoffers more opportunity for color and full insurance coverage to hide spotlight or color mutual exclusiveness . Just mind that painting before the imperativeness - treat wood is ready can lead to poor adhesion and desquamation . It is likely that the Earth’s surface will need repaint every 2 to 3 years . Preventing stains from forming make the labor prep well-situated each time , however .
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Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
