“Can you paint pressure treated wood?” You can paint pressure-treated wood, but you must dry it thoroughly and remove the excess chemicals before priming and painting.
I’ll give it to you straight: this project is time-consuming. As someone whose profession revolves around cutting and painting wood, I’ve learned how to tell if old wood is pressure treated from treating lumber countless times. But I’ve also mastered the process of painting pressure treated enough to teach it to an absolute beginner.
Using my woodworking journal, I’ve gathered the helpful tips that taught me to paint pressure treated wood like a pro. I’ve also added a section to help you determine when your pressure treated wood is ready for painting.
Can You Paint Pressure Treated Wood?: Yes And Here’s How
Prep The Surface
Paint eventually peels off wet pressure treated wood, causing you to waste time and resources restarting the project. So, I test the wood by sprinkling some water on the surface, If it beads up, I know there’s still moisture in it but if is absorbed, I know the wood is dry.
Next, I use a deck cleaner and stiff-bristled brush to clean the entire surface before wiping it down with a dry rag and allowing it to dry completely.
Prime
Latex primers are flexible and fast-drying, making them ideal for painting pine (which pressure treated wood is usually made from). They are also water soluble and easy to clean, so I pair them with water-based paint.
I use a brush and roller when priming pressure treated wood because both tools reach different areas better. I dip the roller in primer and coat large surfaces in 4×4 feet sections and the brush helps me prime tight areas the roller can’t enter. Then, I let the primer cure for 24 hours.
Apply The First Coat of Paint
After priming the wood, I’ve greatly improved the paint adhesion and the wood is ready to be painted. Using the brush and roller method, I apply my first coat of latex paint, which is the best paint for pressure treated wood.
Latex paint dries to touch in an hour, but I usually wait 5-6 hours before recoating and allow the wood 3 weeks to fully cure.
Fully cured latex paint needs retouching every 2-3 years, but this can depend on the surface’s nature. In exterior surfaces, for instance, I find that fences retain paint for longer while high-traffic areas like decks need retouching more often.
Seal
Most wood paints are marketed to be used without a topcoat, but I choose to seal exterior painted wood to extend the life of the finish.
My two favorites are polyacrylic and water-based polyurethane because they bond well with latex paint. Polyacrylic adheres best to matte paint because the chemicals in gloss paints interfere with its bond, while water-based polyurethane does well with most latex paints.
When to Paint Pressure Treated Lumber
Patience is key when painting pressure treated lumber because it needs 3-4 months to fully dry. However, your paint will look good and last long, so it is always worth the wait. Plus, painting pressure treated wood too early wastes time, effort, and money since you’ll need to redo the project.
The Perfect Finish
“So, can you paint pressure treated wood?
The simple answer is yes, but not before drying it thoroughly. It is one of those projects with a delayed reward that is oh-so worth it!
Don’t tell anyone, but I once painted wet pressure treated wood and was (surprisingly) shocked at the peeling, messy results. Luckily, my knowledge of sandblasting wood came in handy, allowing me to erase my mistakes and do it right.
I’ve written a detailed guide for sandblasting wood for fellas who, like me, learned the above tricks one project too late. Be sure to check it out!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Better to Stain or Paint Pressure Treated Wood?
Overall, staining pressure treated wood is quicker and less tedious than painting it. However, staining limits you to shades of brown while painting gives you endless color options. I choose whether to stain or paint depending on the aesthetic I’m using.
What Paint Will Stick to Pressure Treated Wood?
Paint will only stick to pressure treated wood when it is fully dry. Pressure treatment pushes liquid into the wood, so the wood’s moisture will gather under the paint, causing it to peel and blister.
How Long Does Pressure Treated Wood Need to Dry Before Painting?
Pressure treated wood needs 3-4 months to fully dry. To test if your wood is dry, sprinkle some water on the surface and watch how it reacts. If it beads and slides off, the wood still needs to dry but the wood is ready to paint if it absorbs the water. However, remember to dry ready-to-paint wood for an additional 24 hours after this sprinkle test.
What Primer is Best for Pressure Treated Wood?
Latex-based primers are best for pressure treated wood because their water-based formula is easily absorbed into the wood. My personal favorite is the Rust-Oleum Water-based primer because dries quickly and seamlessly covers my surface in one coat.
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