Replies

1. 
   david_sorg | Jun 17, 1999 11:54pm | #1

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   Tom,

   I'm assuming the patio cover is wood. If so, the two enemies are moisture and ultraviolet light. Paint protects wood by protecting it from moisture with resin (acrylic in your example). The pigments (color) block the uv light. Unless additional UV inhibitors are added to the stain, the opaque paint will do a better job of protecting the wood. The question is how much of the wood do you want to show for appearances' sake, and only you can be the judge.

1. 
   Tom_C. | Jun 18, 1999 12:45am | #2

   *The patio cover is wood-- rough sawn douglas fir. I'm going for an opaque finish, mainly for better protection.I've called Cabot and Olympic Stains (PPG) for advice. Cabot recommended one coat oil primer followed by two coats acrylic solid color stain. They said the stain will build a thinner layer than paint and will therefore be more elastic. This contradicts what I've read about acrylic paints, i.e. the thicker, the more elastic. Olympic recommended their oil based solid color stain, one or two coats as needed to cover. They said this is thinner than acrylic and would tend to crack less in the sun, but the color might fade more. I'm not too convinced by either response.

1. 
   Jed_C. | Jun 18, 1999 06:44am | #3

   *Surprised that neither of them mentioned the one big benefit of stain over paint: maintenance is easier. Solid-color stains degrade more evenly. They don't last as long as paint, but when it comes time for a new coat (probably 5-6 years in your climate), you're facing a lot less prep work. In other words, they wear out with less cracking and peeling. If you're starting with raw wood, I'd go with a good oil-base primer and two coats of acrylic stain over that.

2. 
   Guest_ | Jun 18, 1999 07:31pm | #4

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   My uncle (Jimbo) says to put two coats of acrylic paint on it! And I believe him!

   Why? Because he has painted for a long time!

   Blue

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 18, 1999 07:47pm | #5

   *And Jimbo said to remember to seal the knots with Killz!blue

1. 
   Guest_ | Jun 18, 1999 07:50pm | #6

   *Incidently, he paints in Las Vegas!Blue

3. 
   david_sorg | Jun 18, 1999 10:14pm | #7

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   Tom,

   You could do some of the rest of us a favor by using two different methods on your project. Keep careful records of methods and materials and let us know in a few years. But short of that, how will you ever know? I personally would go with oil primer and a couple coats of acrylic for longest life of the wood and probably the least overall time involved when you factor future recoating intervals. But wouldn't the experiment be intriguing? :)

4. 
   Tom_C. | Jun 18, 1999 10:14pm | #8

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   Any advice on whether to use a solid color stain (acrylic) or a flat exterior paint (acrylic) for a patio cover in So. Calif. A recent article in FHB #121 indicates the products are very similar, and that paint is expected to last longer. Is this product just a marketing gimmick?