How to Paint Older Wood Molding
Wood molding defines your home's architectural details, so when it gets older and in need of repair, a fresh coat of paint can work wonders. Whether you're painting over stained wood or repainting faded and peeling molding, the key to a good-looking, durable job is proper preparation and using high-quality materials. The Paint Quality Institute suggests using "top-of-the-line" paints -- oil- or water-based, depending on the finish desired. Painting older wood molding requires some hard work, but if you take a step-by-step approach, you can revitalize your home and make the wood last longer. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Detergent
- Rubbing alcohol
- Scraper
- Sandpaper
- Power sander
- Sponge or wet-dry sandpaper
- Primer
- Brushes
- Mineral spirits
- Caulk and caulking gun
- Paint
Instructions
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Scrape off loose and peeling paint, or varnish with a stiff or chisel-edged scraper.
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Scrub the wood molding clean with a mixture of detergent and warm water. TSP (trisodium phosphate) is an effective cleaner, but dishwashing detergent works well, too. Use a rough kitchen sponge or wet-dry sandpaper, then rinse the molding with clean water and a rag. Let it dry several hours or overnight.
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Repair dents, holes and other damage with carpenter's wood putty. It's stronger than spackling paste, and it doesn't shrink.
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Sand the molding smooth. Older molding might have multiple coats of paint and will be lumpy or rough. A power sander with 80- or 120-grit sandpaper will make the job go much faster. When the molding surface is smooth, wipe it down with a damp, lint-free rag.
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Prime the molding. If you are priming over stained or varnished wood, use a stain-blocking, shellac- or oil-based primer. Use water- or oil-based primer on painted surfaces.Only bare wood areas need priming, but for maximum durability, prime all the molding.
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Caulk gaps and cracks. It's easier to see what needs caulking after the molding has been primed, and caulk doesn't require priming. Apply the caulk, then smooth it down with a damp finger or a soft rag.
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Paint the molding with two coats of water-based (latex or acrylic) or oil-based (alkyd) paint in your choice of gloss. Use a good-quality brush to apply thin, even coats, allowing them to dry as directed on the label.
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Tips & Warnings
If you're not sure whether the existing paint is water- or oil-based, rub it with a little rubbing alcohol on a rag. Water-based paint will become sticky and will come off on the rag; oil-based paint is unaffected by rubbing alcohol.
If your home was built before 1980, existing paint on the moldings might contain lead. Most paint and hardware stores carry testing kits so you can check it yourself. If the paint is leaded, sanding or scraping it will release lead, which is particularly toxic to children.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit room painting image by Stephen Orsillo from Fotolia.com
