How to Paint CCA Treated Wood
Applying a paint to treated wood is a good idea no matter how the wood is used. Whether it is a deck, railing, or other purpose, painting or staining the material will lengthen the life of the wood. Treated lumber is treated with a chemical that makes it resistant to rot and decay. The treatment only offers a resistance, not a cure from rot and decay, so painting the treated lumber will greatly extend the life of the lumber. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Make sure the wood is dry before applying a finish. The wood is delivered to the lumberyard wet and it takes several weeks to dry out. To test the wood to see if it is dry enough for finishing, drop a small amount of water on it. If it beads up, it needs to dry more. If it soaks in quickly, you can paint or stain.
-
2
Cover up all nails and screw holes before painting. One way to do this is to screw from the bottom of the lumber (where water doesn't fall on or rest). Also, you can use wood putty or caulk to fill any surface nail or screw holes.
-
-
3
Cover up any exposed areas where you do not want paint to get with masking tape and drop cloths.
-
4
Paint the wood, making sure it is clean of all debris. Any exterior grade paint is fine to use to paint treated lumber. Apply a thin layer of paint to the wood and allow it to dry. After the paint is dry, you may need to apply a second coat. After the final coat is dry, remove all of the masking tape and drop cloths.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
CCA lumber is treated with Copper Cromated Arsnate. That last word, Arsnate, means Arsenic, which is a poison. To protect yourself, make sure to use a mask and gloves whenever handling treated lumber, and wash your hands thoroughly after working with this wood. It is also a good idea to wash your work clothes separately from your other laundry to avoid possible cross-contamination of the chemicals used to the treat the wood.
Finally, the Environmental Protection Agency also recommends that CCA treated wood not be used in areas where drinking water, food, animal food, and beehives are present.
