If you’re thinking of painting your pressure-treated wood, it’s important to know that premature painting can lead to a number of problems. For starters, it can damage the wood’s protective coating. This coating is essential to prevent the wood from becoming wet and rotting, which can happen when the paint is applied too soon. Additionally, the paint won’t be able to adhere to the wood properly, which will result in uneven coverage and an overall unattractive finish. So if you’re planning on painting your pressure-treated wood, make sure to wait until the paint is fully dry before proceeding.
You might want to paint pressure-treated (PT) wood or even deck. There are two ways to do this. One is to wait a year or more. The other way is to apply a new coating of the paint before the old one has dried. If you’re doing this yourself, follow these steps.
First, make sure that the wood is dry. To test if it’s dry enough to paint, check to see if it feels spongy when you push on it with your fingers.
Next, you’ll want to sand the surface to create a smooth, even surface to paint on. Use a power sander with an 80-grit sandpaper disc. Make sure to wear eye protection, rubber gloves, and a dust mask.
After sanding, brush the surface lightly with mineral spirits. This will remove any wax residue and dirt that you’ve picked up from the sanding. The mineral spirits will help to keep the surface tacky while you paint.
Apply a primer coat. Apply the primer with a roller, brush, or sprayer. Then, let the primer dry completely. This might take a couple of days.
Apply the finish coat. After you apply the finish coat, it needs to dry completely before you can paint over it. Use a foam brush to paint the finish coat. You don’t need a brush with bristles; just paint with a foam brush. Make sure to use a high quality, exterior-rated paint.
What is pressure treated wood?
Pressure treated wood is lumber that has been treated with a chemical preservative under pressure. The preservative helps protect the lumber from decay and insect damage. Pressure treated wood is often used for decks, fences, and other outdoor structures.
What do I need to know before painting pressure treated wood?
Pressure-treated lumber lasts a long time, but it does have one drawback: it’s very susceptible to rot. Even if you protect the wood with a clear sealer (like Minwax Polyurethane Wood Finish), you still need to apply a topcoat every couple years to maintain its protection. Here are five things you need to know about pressure-treated wood:
It can stain: Even though pressure-treated wood looks pretty white when new, you may notice the lumber turning a rusty brown after a few years. This is because the wood’s natural woodsy look turns into a dull gray. But don’t panic—the brown is just an indication that you’ll need to refinish the wood sometime in the future.
It can chip: The good news is that pressure-treated wood isn’t actually a weak material. But if you’re looking to make repairs to your porch or deck, the wood can chip when you cut or drill it. So make sure to sand and prime your project first, or use a finish that’s designed to be chipping-resistant.
It’s a fire hazard: There’s a chance that your wood could catch fire. It depends on how dry the wood is. If the wood has moisture content in the top two inches, it’s more likely to burn. So make sure to cut off the top two inches of the wood and to treat it with a fire retardant. And if you can’t wait for the weather to dry, you can also use a chemical-based preservative.
It can fade: Over time, the color of your pressure-treated wood may begin to fade, especially if you live in an area with hot, humid summers. To reduce fading, you can apply a clear coat to the top side of the wood after you’ve sealed it. But make sure to read the label on your finish for specific instructions, because some are formulated to resist fading and others will just dull the wood’s appearance.
It won’t last forever: Once you’ve finished your project, you’ll need to repaint the wood. And the longer you wait to do so, the worse your paint job will look. But if you want to prolong the life of your project, you can make a few small repairs and seal the wood.
