Don’t let people tell you that white looks less dated if you like natural wood. Cherry is a very smooth wood with a mild grain that can be stained a variety of colors. Find out which is better for the grade or type of wood like oak, cedar and mahogany. Stained wood cabinets give a cozy feel to the kitchen and wood patterns are timeless unlike painted cabinets which can go out of fashion as new kitchen colors and aesthetics come into vogue. You will be able to tell there is an adhesion issue going on as you paint. Whether or not stained wood needs to be stripped depends on whether or not the wood was varnished. Even so, some older homes can still benefit from painting trim. For example, the old Victorian-style “painted lady” houses can certainly get away with brighter paint colors. Follow these steps for a successful paint job: Step 1: Make sure that your wood is in good shape. Most times, you’re right. A wood moisture meter that will tell you how much moisture is in the wood. Pressure treated wood is ready to stain when it is no longer retaining the excess moisture from the treatment process. You can refinish solid wood easily, and veneer if you're careful. 2. Archive View Return to standard view. How To Paint Stained Wood Trim This is important because unfinished wood is a porous surface! If you fail to do any of these, then tiny debris or dust might mix with your paint. Traditional Stain (Previously Stained or Painted Wood) There are two conventional methods for staining a finished piece of furniture, whether it has an existing stain or is painted. But I'm falling at the first hurdle as to which to go with. It will make the cleaning easier since you just have to apply it. Step 2: Mix ¼ cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and a gallon of water. Yes, you can paint over stained wood. Actively growing mold in the early stages of growth has hair-like extensively branching filaments (hyphae), which develop a more hairy appearance as the mold matures. Paint tends to provide color uniformity, has various degrees of sheen, and has a broader color range. I get it. Paint over your stained wood with a paint primer first. Old dingy white windows and sills look dated, the key to a fresh look is a fresh well maintained finish. So, armed with this information, you should now hopefully see why just slapping paint over wood stain or dye is not the way to go if you are looking for a good, long lasting finish. Polyurethane is a highly durable finishing material that comes in high-gloss, gloss or matte finishes. Pressure-treated lumber can be painted or stained, but stain will not soak in as deeply with treated wood than it would with raw. You can use oil based or water based latex primer - you can even use spray paint. Your stained wood should not have dust or any other dirt that might interfere with your work. Kiln-dried wood will be dry at purchase and can be stained immediately. If you can't see the grain then it may be a solid bodied stain and they are usually made with acrylic (water base). Unfinished Wood vs. HomeAdvisor's Painted vs. Stained Cabinets Guide compares paint and stain for kitchen and bathroom cabinets, including pros, cons, costs, and types like gel stain or white paint. Pressure treated wood that contains a water repellant will not absorb a water-based stain as well as an oil-based exterior stain. Repair cracks if there are any. One option is to completely sand off the entire finish so that you get down to the bare wood. You know, back when having a paneled “den” was popular. If the water is absorbed into the wood easily, it’s ready to seal or stain. Choosing the stain color, picking up paint brushes or paint rollers, and readying your cleaning supplies are all excellent options to prepare for the next steps. Here's how to tell the difference between real wood and fake wood! Unrepaired cracks will cause the new paint to peel because water can seep behind the paint film. In fact, there are numerous correct ways to paint stained wood and the method you choose should depend on the type of stain used, the state of the wood, and whether or not you’re painting a piece of furniture or some other structure. Manufacturers make polyurethane from synthetic resins … If you are using dark paint, thin it down a bit with some water. You can apply the primer with either a brush or roller. I think the issues that should concern you are more short term than long term, and that is failure of the paint and not a problem with the wood. “But if it’s 100 years old and you’ve stripped it, it’s going to be very dark,” Masaschi says. Identifying the finish on wood floors or furniture is necessary if you plan to strip and refinish the wood surface. Stained wood trim is very common in older homes, and keeping it stained can bring a sense of warmth and rustic charm to a room. My deck railings need to be restained or painted. I do not know if the original stain is oil or acrylic. Solid wood furniture is heavy! With stains, primers are not always required. Our project used walnut oil, but you can use any type of wood stain or dark paint for similar results. How to Paint over Stained Wood. Not only does painting over improperly prepped oil paint and stain require many additional coats, when it is dry it will easily peel off at the slightest scratch. If you just bought the wood, let it weather for at least 60 days to allow the chemicals to evaporate and work their way out of the wood. For starters, clean the stained wood item to remove any dust, dirt, cobwebs, or other material that shouldn’t be mixed in with the paint. Whirlpool Enthusiast reference: whrl.pl/Rd2q6B. This lumber will have a stamp or tag that says ADAT (air-dried after treatment) or KDAT (kiln-dried after treatment). 19% or less of moisture content is okay for staining. You can just easily clean it with soap and water. This has been discussed and debated online in articles and forums with no clear cut winner that I can tell. Then you have options for the finish coat, and different types of latex or oil-based paint can be used. Laminate is plastic, and can be painted, but not stained. Disadvantages of Stained Kitchen Cabinets . That should be your first clue. How to Paint Over Non-Oil Based Stain on Cedar Siding. How Do You Know It Is Ready to Stain? Andersen 200 Series Natural Wood Interior Windows. Cedar wood does not take paint well, and paint can actually reduce the lifespan of your cedar fence. However, I think this might be a case where nobody can tell you for sure what's going to happen. Once the preliminary sanding is complete, apply wood stain or dark paint as a coloring agent to low spots and areas where wood has been exposed. It is easily applied and recoated, and surface preparation is usually minimal. Solid Wood. Stained cedar can last for years with little maintenance, but that doesn’t mean that you won't simply want a change of pace. If you are planning on using a water based latex paint, use a water based latex primer. “But if it’s 100 years old and you’ve stripped it, it’s going to be very dark,” Masaschi says. To begin with, MDF kitchen cabinets and stain do go hand in hand. This is especially the case if your home currently has painted siding, since it requires a lot of sanding and priming to stain previously painted wood. Another way of telling if you wood is ready for staining is to pour a little water on the wood. That glossy, polyurethaned, heavily-grained, medium-colored oak paneling that went into houses some 15-25 years ago, everywhere, has us all ready for a change. If you have a wood stain stripper, you can use that as well. Rough sawn wood will need significant prep work if using paint. Solid wood is exactly as it sounds and solid wood can be painted or stained also. Meaning: it's going to absorb much, much more of what you place on it than wood that is being repainted. If your deck is made of cypress, redwood or cedar, and it’s in good shape, you may choose to stain it to showcase its color. posted 2014-Jul-26, 3:17 pm AEST ref: whrl.pl/Rd2q6B. This is easily observed with species of Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium growing on surfaces of plaster, wall paper, paint, damp wood, carpets and other floor coverings. The best way to apply the coloring agent is with a clean rag. stained ceilings from sweat, and also mold and odor. How can you tell if an exterior stain on a deck is oil or acrylic? Unlike paint, which completely masks the wood’s beauty, a stain allows you to highlight its natural qualities. Can you tell if deck paint vs Stained? If the water beads up, it’s still too wet to finish. Painting over stained wood can be a great way to give your furniture a new and refreshed look. If it takes two people to move that little coffee table, it's probably solid wood. posted 2014-Jul-26, 3:17 pm AEST O.P. If you are planning on using oil based paint, use an oil based primer. bobg2007. If I paint wood, for outdoor use, while it is still very wet, what problems can I expect in the long run (2-3 years)? If you’re working with excessively greasy or oily wood, clean those areas using trisodium phosphate (TSP), but handle with care because it is toxic. If the paint doesn't come off, it's oil-based, and an oil-based primer is a must. Pour a bit of water on the surface of the boards. Whether you’re hoping to make your home look more modern, or give it a rustic feel, paint can be an easy and effective tool for changing up your style. Hi Guys, Purchased my place about 6 months … However, stain has its advantages also. If I wanted painted kitchen cabinet doors, which would I choose? Paint is often more expensive per gallon, is more time consuming to apply, and always should be applied over a primed surface. Natural Wood Windows Are Warm. I know. How can you tell if your house is sealed to tightly? If the water beads, it's not dry enough. I'm buying a newly renovated condo that has beautiful poplar trim throughout it and have the opportunity to pick paint/stain colour schemes. Or you can use a moisture meter. Let the battle begin: MDF vs. wood … or even a Hybrid door (wood framing with a MDF center panel)? 95% of photos online show wood trim painted in white and very few examples of stained trim. last updated – posted 2014-Jul-26, 7:21 pm AEST posted 2014-Jul-26, 7:21 pm AEST User #153928 1289 posts. Once finished, let it air dry. Usually stains tend to be somewhat transparent so you can see the grain of the wood through the color. Not preparing stained surfaces correctly can lead to a poor, streaky painted finish and eventually peeling. 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