The quality of the the material you use to paint a wooden surface has a decided influence on the final outcomes, but other factors are equally significant. They include the condition of the wood, the amount of effort that you put in to preparing it and the painting process you’re using. You can not hide defects like scratches and gouges with paint nor will you expect the paint job to last whether the wood is wet or there are remnants of old end clinging to the surface when you spread a new coat. Appropriate preparation and technique will ensure the best outcomes.
Ensure that the wood is dry before you paint it. Store interior trim, molding and other movable woodwork in a dry atmosphere. Wait for a dry day that’s been countered with a few more dry days before painting outside trim, siding or other woodwork. Never paint outside wood if it appears like it’s going to rain.
Scrape off as much old end as possible with a paint scraper when the wood has been painted before. While you seldom have to strip wood until you paint it, you need to get rid of any flaking, loose or cracked finish which may interfere with the adhesion of the new paint.
Wash the wood with a powerful solution of detergent and water, and put in a mold inhibitor into the mix if you notice mould or stains of black mold. Let the wood dry before continuing.
Fill gouges, cracks and other defects with wood putty or spackling compound, make sure you use an outside product for outside woodwork. Some inside fillers are also suggested for outside use so long as you paint them. Examine the use recommendations on the filler container.
Sand the wood with an oscillating tool fitted with a sanding accessory. Use 80- or 100-grit sandpaper if the surface has an older end, and eliminate as much of it as possible. Be sure to sand off extra filler from patches. Touch up with a 120-grit. If you are sanding new wood, one pass with 120-grit paper could be adequate.
Sand the wood by hand with 150-grit sandpaper, moving with the grain, even if you are painting inside trim or other ornaments. This last sanding will remove marks from the oscillating sander which could be visible even under a coat of paint.
Spread a coat of primer before you paint the first coat. Primer seals the wood grain so the paint will cover evenly, and it improves the adhesion of the paint. If the wood is knotty, use a primer which prevents bleed-through.
Apply the first coat of paint by spraying or brushing. Should you use a brush, proceed with the grain of the wood, beginning every stroke on warm wood and finishing an area you have already painted. Do not leave any voids, however, do not overload the surface either, or the paint may sag.
Let the first coat dry, then sand it lightly by hand with 150-grit sandpaper before applying another coat. You might not need two or more coats, but if you do, sand the next coat lightly before spreading the third.
Let the paint cure until you cut, shape or fasten it. This usually takes from 24 to 48 hours.