How to Paint Composite Lumber
Composite lumber is a mix of wood shards, strands and particles that are bound together with adhesive to form usable boards. It may be made from hardwoods, softwoods or even saw dust. Painting composite woods makes them resistant to water, which is important because many cheap composite lumbers wear out quickly from exposure to moisture. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Broom
- Vacuum
- Primer
- Paint rollers
- Drop cloth
- 320-grit sandpaper
- Painter's tape
- Polyurethane
Instructions
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Sand the composite lumber with 320-grit sandpaper to roughen up the surface enough to ensure that primer will adhere properly. Sweep and vacuum up dust and debris.
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Set out drop cloths around where you're painting to prevent messy splatters. If you're painting a deck or floor, tape up any wall or floor molding and anything else you don't want to get paint on.
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Brush on a layer of primer, wait for the primer to dry according to the the manufacturer's directions, and apply another layer. Some inexpensive composite lumber, such as particle board, may need as many as three layers of primer to properly cover it because composite lumber tends not to accept paint as readily as regular wood.
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Roll or brush on a thin coat of paint, wait for it to dry and apply one or two more coats. When you're done, it should look pretty similar to real wood. Brush on a coat of clear polyurethane to prevent the paint from fading quickly and to protect the composite lumber from the elements.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose exterior-grade paint for a composite lumber deck or shed. This paint stands against sun and rain better than interior paints.
