Can pressure treated wood be painted? I’ve learned the hard way that you can’t just slap paint on pressure treated wood and expect to get a smooth finish. It doesn’t matter wether it’s oil-based paints or water-based paint, there are a few things you need to know before diving in to painting pressure-treated lumber. You know I always say, “let me make the mistakes so you won’t.” Today I’m sharing the right way to paint pressure treated wood.
Recently I completed a few outdoor projects, one of which I used joint compound to make a new piece of treated wood look old. This worked great by the way! Surprisingly most of the question I received was about painting pressure-treated wood and if it’s even possible. I decided to create a full blog post because I have a lot to say about this.
Sometimes the best lessons are learned through mistakes right? A little over a year ago I made a DIY outdoor table to hide the grinder pump well. It turned out really nice…at first. As you can guess, I made the mistake of painting the wood surface without primer and without making sure that it was fully dry. If you take away anything from this post, take away that the drying process is key. Keep reading…
What is pressure treated wood?
Pressure treated lumber is wood that has been soaked with a high pressure treatment of water and other chemical preservatives to help it withstand outdoor elements.
You can guess that the extra chemicals will interfere with paint absorbing on the surface correctly; hence not being able to paint it successfully without it being fully dry.
Can you paint pressure treated wood?
Yes, you can definitely paint pressure treated wood, but the wood needs to be fully dry. The drying time will vary based on the piece of wood, so you need to complete a quick test first to see if it’s fully dry.
Can you apply wood stain to pressure treated wood?
Yes, you can stain pressure treated wood just like you can paint it as long as it’s fully dry.
When can you paint pressure treated lumbar?
You can paint pressure treated wood when it’s dry enough to accept a coating. There is a simple test you can do to make sure it’s ready:
- Sprinkle water on the wood
- If the drops of water are absorbed that means the wood is dry enough to paint
- If the drops bead on the surface, the wood is not ready to paint
- Wait a few more days and try the water droplet test again
How to paint pressure treated wood
- Do the “sprinkle” test to make sure the wood is completely dry. See the above instructions on how to do this.
- Clean the lumbar with a soapy solution and a stiff brush or even pressure washer. After you’ve cleaned the surface sufficiency, rinse it off and let it dry for at least 24 hours.
- Apply outdoor primer that is suitable for pressure treated wood and outdoor structures. Primer is important to help the paint adhere and to also block the tannins (previous finish or natural stains) from seeping through the new paint. One coat of primer should be sufficient for well cleaned wood. Apply two coats for extra coverage.
- Apply 1-2 coats of high-quality exterior latex paint. Latex paint and latex primer works best on pressure treated wood. A second coat of paint is normally recommended for outside surfaces.
What happens if you paint pressure treated lumbar too soon?
If you paint pressure treated wood too soon the paint won’t bond correctly. Not only does this lead to an uneven finish, but it no longer protects the wood from future elements.
I painted our “grinder pump well table top” a year ago. I used good old “deck boards” which are southern yellow pine boards and I did not wait until the wood was completely dry. Below is what the surface looks like today, 1 year later.
You can see the paint cracking and where the sap from the wood is breaking through the paint. What a mess!
I’ve learned my lesson and I know not to make this mistake again! I should have known the surface of the wood wasn’t dry and it wasn’t in good condition. Even if I washed it thoroughly with a paint sprayer and removed the sap, it still wouldn’t have mattered if the wood wasn’t fully dry. Also make sure to check for insect damage before starting your painting project. The reality is that pressure treated wood is rarely used for a “fine finish” project, so you might need to inspect the boards and throw a few to the side before finding the right ones.
In a nutshell;
Understand the treatment process of pressure treated wood. Know how to “test” the boards for high moisture content. Let the boards dry out sufficiently. For best results, clean them well and then wait another 24 hours to dry. Choose the best type of primer and type of paint for your job (this is up to you).
For more tips on painting outdoor furniture, check out my post with more details out outdoor painting projects.
Lindsey**