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What sort of primer should I use if I want to paint wood?

Jeff Baldwin
Residential Painter
Jeff Baldwin is a Residential Painter and the Owner of Baldwin Custom Painting, based in San Francisco, CA. With two decades of painting experience, Jeff specializes in high-end residential and small commercial painting projects. Dedicated to quality craftsmanship, Jeff and Baldwin Custom Painting provide bonded/insured, licensed, and lead-safe certified services in residential painting, light commercial painting, and wood refinishing.

Jeff Baldwin

Residential Painter

Expert Answer

If you want to paint wood, you can use a stain-blocking primer that bonds well.

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How can I waterproof OSB?

Community Answer

Polyurethane is your only choice for that stuff. There's so much glue that nothing else will work.

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Question

I need to waterproof a vintage school desk that will be placed on my porch exposed to the elements. What should I use?

Community Answer

A high-quality Danish oil is your best bet. If you finish it with a clear coat afterward, let it dry at least a few days before applying a varnish and be sure to use a spar varnish (for exterior use).

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Question

How can I protect a wooden sink?

Community Answer

Check out Daich Coatings. They have a whole assortment of products that will help you.

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How do I waterproof wooden jewelry?

Community Answer

I recommend using polyurethane. Some oils like the article says may work, but body salts are pretty aggressive.

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Which wood sealers and waterproofers can be painted?

Community Answer

Anything "can be" painted. But if you think you'll never have to paint again, you're sorely mistaken. You don't want to waterproof before you paint because the paint won't be able to grip for more than a couple of years since it couldn't penetrate. So, go with either paint as your waterproofing or waterproofing by itself.

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How do I protect my wood windows from condensation runoff?

Community Answer

Use One-Time Wood Protector if they're exposed to direct sun for at least 3 hours a day. If not, then polyurethane would be your best bet.

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For church pews on my outdoor patio, what is the best product to use on them to protect from weather and water?

Community Answer

If the pews are commonly in the sun and not prone to splinters, then One-Time Wood Protector is the best choice. If the sun isn't there and there's a splinter problem, then you'll have to go for polyurethane and re-coat the pews every few years, then every decade a full strip and refinish procedure.

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I want to protect a bench made of light colored hardwood for outdoor use, but keep it as light colored as possible. What is the best way to proceed?

Community Answer

Use a clear polyurethane based varnish, like Ronseal. Alternatively, you could use a boat deck varnish, but these may be a little darker.

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Question

What should be used to preserve a dock that is exposed to sun at a high elevation?

Community Answer

One-Time Wood Protector. You'll probably need to re-brush or roll every 5 years, but that's it. It goes a long way and doesn't peel or flake or build-up. Don't forget to get the board ends and anything else you can access.

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Question

How do I waterproof patio posts (4x4) that routinely get wet from sprinklers? The posts are painted, but the bottoms are showing the effects of water damage.

Community Answer

Flash them in aluminum flashing, any siding or even gutter company can do a great job.

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