FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Oil or Latex

user-166870 | Posted in General Discussion on July 3, 2006 05:24am

Hello all,

 

I am new to this discussion, so here goes…

I am about to scrape and sand the clabboard siding on my home. The place hasn’t been painted in some time (I bought it not long ago). Some of the boards need to be replaced, but most of them will be fine with TLC. One section of the house is very old and the boards show more wear. They appear to be like sponges ready to soak up any rich moisture that comes at them. So, is it better to use oil as a primer or is latex as good? If I use oil, is good to put latex over it? Will one give better protection than the other?

Any other variables I should consider. I live in Massachusetts, so there will be swings of temp over each year.

Thanks for any advice.

Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    IMERC | Jul 03, 2006 05:38am | #1

    Any other variables I should consider

    latex is easier to wash off of the dog...

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!

    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

  2. DonK | Jul 03, 2006 06:24am | #2

    Another variable - can't buy oil any more. Fed'l gov't says it's no good for the environment, make it real difficult to get. I heard it can be had in quarts, but that isn't the way to do a house. (My last purchase of oil stain was a few months ago and I had all I could do to get a few gallons.) Might want to figure on using latex.

    Don K.

    EJG Homes     Renovations - New Construction - Rentals

  3. Hackinatit | Jul 03, 2006 01:39pm | #3

    I have no problem getting oil primer. I just used 5 gal can of Sherwin Williams Quick Seal Oil exterior primer. Gotta be fast, but it STICKS!

    Don't allow the primer to wait long for the color coats. I understand that it's ability to grip the top coat will diminish over time.

    Any high quality latex for the protective/color coats. I like SW SuperPaint treated with Floetrol.

     

    Troy Sprout

    "[email protected] forgot the screws."

  4. paperhanger | Jul 03, 2006 02:24pm | #4

    Use the oil primer, its available in Ma., then topcoat with the latex product, should stand up for years in Ma. weather. It does here in Carver, MA.

    1. user-166870 | Jul 03, 2006 03:16pm | #6

      If it'll work in Carver, it will here too. Thanks to all for the advice. Now, if I can just get the family to agree on the color coat!

      Screen Time

      1. User avater
        McDesign | Jul 04, 2006 06:35am | #7

        My wife and I "discussed" for ten years before agreeing on exterior colors.  Looks great, tho!  The link below refers to a TOH article that is my paint bible for painting my old house.  I'm not a painter; it's too hard to do it right!

        http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/knowhow/exteriors/article/0,16417,202236-1,00.html

        Forrest

  5. User avater
    Sphere | Jul 03, 2006 03:11pm | #5

    Don't rule out Alcohol based Zinnsser. Good stuff too.

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    There is no cure for stupid. R. White.

    1. JohnSprung | Jul 06, 2006 02:13am | #11

      I like the alcohol based stuff, too.  It seems to do a better job of soaking into and bonding with the wood.  Latex bonds to it well, too.  I like the smell a lot better than oil/mineral spirits.  It's also da bomb for covering water soluable stains. 

      The only downside is that alcohol evaporates too fast in really hot dry weather.  If you have to work in direct sunlight, it may be worth your while to rig a temporary frame and tarp to make your own shade.   

       

      -- J.S.

       

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Jul 06, 2006 02:20am | #12

        Yeah, that fast drying can work against ya.

        Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        There is no cure for stupid. R. White.

  6. user-51823 | Jul 04, 2006 06:52am | #8

    ditto sphere about Zinsser. use their XIM on anything, and under anything.

    1. User avater
      BillHartmann | Jul 04, 2006 07:30pm | #9

      "
      ditto sphere about Zinsser. use their XIM on anything, and under anything."I think that you mean Bin.XIM is a different company that makes some special purpose primers including bonding primers for hard to stick to surfaces.

      1. user-51823 | Jul 04, 2006 09:05pm | #10

        thanks for the correction. you are right; what i have on the shelf is XIM's primer, 400 white. it's great. zinsser's BIn is a good product too.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Paying Homage to a Quintessential Cottage

A heritage property in the Adirondacks maximizes indoor-outdoor living space.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Track Lighting for Functional Ambiance in Busy Spaces
  • Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep. 19, Jesse Neumann, Arborist
  • FHB Podcast: Special Edition With Neil Freidberg of Louisiana Pacific and Kyle Stumpenhorst of RR Buildings
  • DeWalt Recalls 12-in. Sliding Compound Miter Saws

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2021 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Outdoor Projects
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job
  • Issue 308 - July 2022
    • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    • 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat
    • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs
  • Issue 307 - June 2022
    • How to Raise a Post-Frame Home
    • Trimming Deck Stairs
    • Evolving an Energy-Efficient Envelope
  • Issue 306 - April/May 2022
    • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing
    • Building a Zero-Energy Home for Less
    • Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters
  • Issue 305 - Feb/March 2022
    • The Steady Surge in Residential Solar
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. Rose
    • How Good Is Your Air Barrier?

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in