Can pressure treated lumber be effectively painted and if so what preparation should be done for good adhesion and finish?
“enjoy what you do, do what you enjoy”
Can pressure treated lumber be effectively painted and if so what preparation should be done for good adhesion and finish?
“enjoy what you do, do what you enjoy”
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Replies
Let it dry completely. Prime w/ an oil-based primer. Paint w/ a quality acrylic exterior paint (S/W Superpaint comes to mind). Done deal.
I have painted a lot of pressure treated lumber that is kiln dried after treatment (KDAT) and some that had not been dried before purchase. If the lumber is wet, then I stack it carefully to prevent warpage with air spaces for drying for several weeks. When the lumber is sufficiently dry, then I prime it with an oil base exterior primer (Benjamin Moore's Fresh Start) and then topcoat with acrylic house paint. I have not had any problems with this method and some of my work is 6-7 years old.
Stan
What the previous two posters said - let it dry, oil primer, & acrylic final coat.
I'm adding that I've had no peeling or other form of failure on lumber painted 10 years ago.
With the new earth friendly ACQ we notice a build up of the treating compound(an alkaline salt) on the surface. It is a greenish powder. We have been scrubbing it off with water and a stiff brush then giving it at least 3 weeks in the Florida sun. Then oil primer. Then a quality top coat. Maybe we are wasting our time but if the oil primer can't get through the salt build up what is the point. I have already seen adhesion problems on a competitors work and ACQ has only been around a few years in our market so who knows what effect it will have long turn.
Good Luck