Share:

Whether it’s for kitchen cabinetry or the fireplace mantel, painting wood surfaces requires a certain amount of preparation to ensure that the color and finish appears as it's intended to. Neglecting this will result in an inaccurate color or finish, peeling paint, and a premature need for reapplication. To avoid this, here are a few things to keep in mind during your next project.

How to Prepare & Paint Wood Surfaces

1. Clean Twice

For the primer and paint to fully adhere, the surface should be cleaned before and after sanding. The first time, mix trisodium phosphate — TSP — with lukewarm water to degrease and degloss a shiny surface. The second time, you can just use a shop vacuum or a lint-free clean rag dipped in water to wipe off the excess dust.

2. Have Different Grit Sandpaper on Hand

woodLarge or coarse grit sandpaper is ideal for the initial sanding, especially if you’re repainting an object with an old coat of paint. If you’ve custom built something and you’re working with a plain wood surface, you can use a medium grit, assuming there aren’t too many flaws in the wood. Fine grit is excellent for the primer and in-between coats of paint.

3. Both Brushes & Foam Rollers Are Necessary

To quickly and adequately cover a large, flat surface area, such as a tabletop, it’s best to use a foam roller. However, for smaller sections with more complex features, like crown molding, use a paintbrush. Always invest in high-quality brushes bristles; cheap ones have bristles that fall off and stick to the paint.

4. Primer Matters

The type of paint you intend to use will determine what kind of primer you need; for example, water-based paint requires a water-based primer. Furthermore, if the final color is very saturated or dark, it’s best to tint the primer. This cuts down the number of coats needed to achieve the same color as the paint chip card.

5. Don’t Forget the Surroundings

Finally, always take the time to cover the surrounding environment and nearby furniture before working. Use drop cloths for flooring, especially if it’s carpet and plastic sheeting for everything else. Apply painter’s tape to the edges of the plastic sheeting to prevent it from shifting or coming off.

 

If you have an upcoming project in the Stayton, OR, area and need any of these supplies to properly paint the wood, stop by Stayton Builders Mart. Locally owned and operated, they’ve provided high-quality building materials and tools for over 40 years. You can see a list of some of the products they carry on their website. If you have any questions, feel free to call them directly at (503) 769-7118.

tracking