nomoon
enthusiast
Posts: 116
Loc: SE Allen
Reg: 05-31-06
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 11-03-07 01:37 PM - Post#31338
I built a privacy screen at the end of our patio which is made of white vinyl lattice work and lots of ACQ treated lumber. Our original intent was to paint the wood white so that it matches the lattice. I’ve heard and read lots of conflicting information on when, how, and if ACQ lumber can be painted. I was wondering if anyone here might have some advice. I was planning to apply a coat of primer followed by paint. My backup plan is to just apply a brown stain sealant to match our fence.
The project was completed about six months ago, last spring (except for painting). The wood was fairly wet back then. The wood appears to be very dry now, and is starting to turn grey. I’ve read that treated lumber needs to be completely dry before painting. I’ve read recommendations that range anywhere from 2 months to 1 year.
- How long should I wait before applying primer and paint? Is six months long enough?
- Would you recommend a latex or oil-based product?
Jason
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Stogiez
enthusiast
Posts: 381
Loc: Allen, TX, USA
Reg: 04-10-02
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11-04-07 04:34 PM - Post#31394
In response to nomoon
There is a decking "stain" that is solid in color (as opposed to semi-transparent stain) by Cabot.
You can buy solid decking stain from Kelly Moore Paints. I know Lowe's sell the semi-transparent stain, but I haven't looked for the solid there.
Cabot's decking solid stain looks like paint, but it is designed for wood, and can be used on pressure-treated. Cabot Solid Decking Stain webpage
They also have excellent customer service.
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nomoon
enthusiast
Posts: 116
Loc: SE Allen
Reg: 05-31-06
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11-05-07 09:39 AM - Post#31441
In response to Stogiez
Here are some photos of my project.
Thanks. I suppose that I'd have more flexibility with the color if I used a paint rather than a stain. If I used paint, I could have the color exactly match the house or the lattice. I'm not sure how important it would be. The wood color isn't bad from the front, but it looks a little awkward from the back.
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MCDUFF
newbie
Posts: 7
Reg: 08-21-03
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11-06-07 10:10 AM - Post#31499
In response to nomoon
You can do almost anything with ACQ. The major consideration is the type of wood used. ACQ uses just about every soft wood you can name.
You did a good thing allowing the wood to dry before you did anything. Treating the wood while wet is simply a waste of your time and money. Sealing the wood too soon merely applies a surface coat trapping any moisture in the wood and affording a great home for mold and mildew. There are 2 very simple tests for dryness. Flick some water drops on the wood. If it soaks in quickly the wood is probably dry. Another test is to squeeze the end of a piece of the wood with a pair of pliers (squeeze as hard as you can). If juice comes out, the wood is too wet.
The choice of finish is somewhat subjective. A semi-transparent, oil-based stain is an excellent choice and can be gotten in almost any color, including white. For a semi-transparent, oil is far more preferable to waterbased. I would avoid a solid stain. For some reason, solid stains do not do particularly well over copper and tend to blotch. This could be a function of wood species rather than anything else. ACQ can be painted very successfully but with some caveats. The ACQ should always be primed prior to painting - lack of a primer could could account for the frailties in solid stains. If the wood is cedar, redwood or pine you should use an oilbased primer. These woods are pitchy and will bleed through the color coat. Oilbased primer will prevent that. A waterbased paint is an excellent color topcoat choice. You can use the same paint as on your house.
The semi-transparent stain is the least amount of work but requires renewing every few years. Cost is about the same for either choice. Regardless your choice, use high quality materials.
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nomoon
enthusiast
Posts: 116
Loc: SE Allen
Reg: 05-31-06
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11-06-07 10:06 PM - Post#31580
In response to MCDUFF
Thank you. This is exactly the kind of information that I was hoping to get. I'm pretty sure that it's pine, so I guess that should get an oil based primer. I already have a water based top coat that matches the house. We're planning to use a solid white for the top coat paint.
Edited by nomoon on 11-07-07 09:47 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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MCDUFF
newbie
Posts: 7
Reg: 08-21-03
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11-07-07 08:56 AM - Post#31609
In response to nomoon
Good Choice!
Brand is not critical - Quality is. Use oilbased primer and then waterbased exterior house paint. It should last longer than you will own the house.
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