Things You'll Need:
- Sandpaper
- Wood filler
- Putty knife
- Wood primer
- Paintbrush
- Paint
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Step 1
Sand the wood with fine to medium grit sandpaper to clean it. Even if the wood is straight off the lumber truck, often it has been treated with a chemical or thin layer of wax. This chemical or wax, if not removed, provides a barrier between a new coat of primer and the wood grain. Sanding remedies this situation, removes the barriers and opens the wood grain to receive the coat of primer. This creates a stable surface for adhesion.
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Step 2
Power wash the surface if you have a large area to sand such as a deck or are dealing with bare but weathered (and, therefore, dirty) wood. One of the most common cleaners meant to replace the use of sandpaper in these situations is Tri Sodium Phosphate. Once the power washing is done, allow the wood to dry at least three days before applying a coat of primer and paint.
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Step 3
Fill gaps in the wood with wood filler using a putty knife. Sand the wood filler when dry to prepare the surface for the primer and paint.
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Step 1
Pick a primer that suits your needs. An extra coat of paint does not replace the function of a wood primer, which prepares the surface for adhesion of paint. Acrylic, water-based primers can be applied in cool temperatures, remain elastic during temperature changes and can be painted over in less than an hour; consult the primer's label, however, for proper application. Acrylic primers also allow moisture to breathe through paint rather than trapping it inside wood, preventing bubbling and peeling. Oil-based primers are known for their durability but require longer drying times and paint thinner for cleanups.
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Step 2
Tint the primer to match the top coat of paint if that top coat is a darker color. This step requires fewer coats of paint in the end.
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Step 3
Apply the primer to the surface with a paintbrush.
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Step 1
Choose a high-quality paint. These paints provide durability and longevity. Particularly in cooler weather, acrylic paints are popular because they can be applied in colder temperatures and have a shorter drying time than oil-based paints, though either can be used. Most primers, whether oil- or water based, can be top coated with either water- or oil-based paints, though always consult a product's label for proper application.
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Step 2
Use a paintbrush made specifically for the type of paint you purchased. For example, if you use a brush made for oil-based paints but use acrylic paint, the brush bristles will swell from the water in acrylic paints and become gummy.
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Step 3
Paint in the direction of the grain for a smooth, even finish.
