The primary reason for this is that paint rarely adheres to pressure-treated wood very well because of the process used for the pressure treatment. However, as we will explain later, it is possible to paint pressure-treated wood if you take the proper steps. The key is understanding what makes pressure-treated wood unique as a category of lumber and how to work with it effectively.
Pressure-treated wood is wood that has undergone a process in which an enormous amount of pressure is applied to inject a solution of water and preservative chemicals deep into the wood grain. This solution is designed to protect the wood from rot and extend its lifetime. This makes pressure-treated lumber useful for outdoor settings like decks and fencing, where it will be exposed to weather and moisture regularly and would otherwise decay quickly. However, this pressure-treatment is why a stain or paint job can fail much of the time.
Wood that has been pressure-treated is always wet immediately after the process, and it remains wet for weeks in most environments.
The wood needs to absorb a stain to be effective, so it needs to be dry before staining. In this article we talk in more detail about how long to wait before staining a pressure treated wood fence.
Pressure-treated wood falls into one of two basic categories , above-ground and ground-contact. The picture below shows the two different types of pressure treated wood and the color difference between the two. These different types of pressure-treated wood are distinguished by how and where they are used, but the steps to prepare them for staining or painting are the same.
Above-ground wood is intended to be used in areas where the wood is easily accessible and can be replaced or maintained with little trouble. Builders use this type of wood where it will be at least 6 inches above ground level. First on this list is allowing the wood to completely dry. Many factors can influence how quickly or slowly treated wood dries. Putting it in a warm, sunny spot will help but may also cause unwanted warp. Likewise, keeping lumber in dark and damp conditions can impede the process.
You can generally count on pressure treated wood to dry naturally within a couple months, but sometimes, the process can take longer in cool damp locations.
To be absolutely sure you can use a moisture meter to check the moisture content of the wood. You might have already guessed that working with treated wood requires some patience.
Soapy water and a stiff brush will eliminate dirt and grime that accumulate on the surface. They also remove chemicals so the primer and paint can properly adhere. I recommend against a strong pressure washer because it can tear up the wood and force water deep into thee wood fibers slowing down drying even more. When clean, the wood needs to dry…again I know! The wood is ready when it absorbs the water you drop during your test.
This significantly reduces your work time by eliminating the need for lengthy drying. As discussed earlier, preservative agents are passed into pressure-treated woods in order to protect it. The wood is positioned in a holding tank that depressurizes and replaces the air it removed with preservative agents.
Pressure-treated wood is seen as the best option because of its protection against insects and harmful rot. Still, it also has its downside, which is its inability to prevent weathering and corrosion, which can be prevented by applying paint or stain.
Yes, patience is a major key to this project. The exterior latex paint is the only paint that is perfect for pressure-treated wood, and it is also known as water-based paint.
Make sure you get the one of the highest quality. However, if you will apply the wood indoors, then consider the interior latex paint. There are a lot of chemicals used in the wood during pressure treatment. The treatment is done in a lot of water. This will cause damage to the wood and the painting. The moisture will cause warping of the wood, and the chemicals will peel off the painting as they try to evaporate.
Now that you are certain that the wood is completely dry and is set for painting. The first step to take is to coat the wood in a high-quality primer before you commence painting. You may be wondering why the use of primer is so important.
Additionally, the primer prevents the paint from soaking into the wood and flaking away in the long run. Along with painting, many people wonder if pressure treated wood can be stained. The answer is an easy yes, since staining can actually be simpler in some cases. You should do your best to avoid any oil-based paints on pressure-treated wood since this type of paint is resistant to the surface of the wood.
For best results, use latex-based paints. Try sprinkling some water onto the wood. If it soaks right in, then it is dry and ready for paint. For people who have never done it before, thinking about painting pressure treated wood on your deck or porch might be confusing. For people that do know these differences, they probably have the ability to comfortably handle these kinds of home projects themselves.
For the rest of us, picking up the phone and calling a local painting service to get the job done is the best way to go. Phone Number: On the other hand, you might store your wood in a dry, warm environment.
While this will help your lumber dry faster, it can also create problems. Sheets of plywood or fencing will be thinner than a two-by-six. As a result, you can expect the thinner treated lumber to be ready for painting before the thicker lumber.
Some treated lumber is kiln-dried before it is sold. Basically, a kiln is a large heater that bakes all the moisture right out of the wood. The kiln does this in a controlled manner that reduces the amount of warping.
If you need lumber that is ready to paint the right way, look into purchasing kiln-dried treated wood. It will be more expensive, but it might be right for you if you need to get that project done fast. For this test, you look over the wood and use your sight and feel to determine if the wood is dry. Using your hand or a paper towel, press into the wood and see if you can detect moisture. Very wet wood will ooze out moisture, similar to a sponge.
However, know that this test can only determine that your wood is still wet — it will not prove that the wood is dry and ready for painting! Wood is very absorbent and is essentially a large sponge — this is one of the reasons it takes so long for it to dry! Take a cup of water and place several drops of water on the surface of the wood.
If the water soaks into the wood, it means that the wood is dry enough for painting. However, if the water beads on the surface, there is too much water within the wood.
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