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. Whether or not stained wood needs to be stripped depends on whether or not the wood was varnished. How to Paint over Stained Wood. 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. 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. That should be your first clue. One option is to completely sand off the entire finish so that you get down to the bare wood. It must dry out before treating, too. Not preparing stained surfaces correctly can lead to a poor, streaky painted finish and eventually peeling. Rough sawn wood will need significant prep work if using paint. Find out which is better for the grade or type of wood like oak, cedar and mahogany. 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. Once finished, let it air dry. Stained cedar can last for years with little maintenance, but that doesn’t mean that you won't simply want a change of pace. How Do You Know It Is Ready to Stain? Cedar wood does not take paint well, and paint can actually reduce the lifespan of your cedar fence. How can you tell if your house is sealed to tightly? Laminate is plastic, and can be painted, but not stained. Unrepaired cracks will cause the new paint to peel because water can seep behind the paint film. Even so, some older homes can still benefit from painting trim. 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)? Pressure treated wood is ready to stain when it is no longer retaining the excess moisture from the treatment process. My deck railings need to be restained or painted. How can you tell if an exterior stain on a deck is oil or acrylic? This lumber will have a stamp or tag that says ADAT (air-dried after treatment) or KDAT (kiln-dried after treatment). However, stain has its advantages also. This has been discussed and debated online in articles and forums with no clear cut winner that I can tell. 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. I know. Cherry is a very smooth wood with a mild grain that can be stained a variety of colors. It will make the cleaning easier since you just have to apply it. But I'm falling at the first hurdle as to which to go with. If the water beads, it's not dry enough. last updated – posted 2014-Jul-26, 7:21 pm AEST posted 2014-Jul-26, 7:21 pm AEST User #153928 1289 posts. If it takes two people to move that little coffee table, it's probably solid wood. Pressure treated wood that contains a water repellant will not absorb a water-based stain as well as an oil-based exterior stain. 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. Make sure the wood is dry. Unfinished Wood vs. Hi Guys, Purchased my place about 6 months … The best way to apply the coloring agent is with a clean rag. 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. 95% of photos online show wood trim painted in white and very few examples of stained trim. With stains, primers are not always required. If your home was previously stained, switching to paint is not very labor intensive. posted 2014-Jul-26, 3:17 pm AEST O.P. Solid Wood. One of the first considerations here is to evaluate whether your wood surface is unfinished wood or a piece of wood that you'll be repainting. If the paint doesn't come off, it's oil-based, and an oil-based primer is a must. It is easily applied and recoated, and surface preparation is usually minimal. 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. “But if it’s 100 years old and you’ve stripped it, it’s going to be very dark,” Masaschi says. If you are planning on using oil based paint, use an oil based primer. If I wanted painted kitchen cabinet doors, which would I choose? However, I think this might be a case where nobody can tell you for sure what's going to happen. You can apply the primer with either a brush or roller. Or you can use a moisture meter. Solid wood is exactly as it sounds and solid wood can be painted or stained also. Pour a bit of water on the surface of the boards. 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. 2. Let the battle begin: MDF vs. wood … or even a Hybrid door (wood framing with a MDF center panel)? You can just easily clean it with soap and water. Can you tell if deck paint vs Stained? Andersen 200 Series Natural Wood Interior Windows. Kiln-dried wood will be dry at purchase and can be stained immediately. Most times, you’re right. One current trend that has everyone whipping out their paintbrushes is painted wood paneling. To begin with, MDF kitchen cabinets and stain do go hand in hand. Then you have options for the finish coat, and different types of latex or oil-based paint can be used. 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. If you can't see the grain then it may be a solid bodied stain and they are usually made with acrylic (water base). You will be able to tell there is an adhesion issue going on as you paint. stained ceilings from sweat, and also mold and odor. 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. Pressure-treated lumber can be painted or stained, but stain will not soak in as deeply with treated wood than it would with raw. 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. If the water beads up, it’s still too wet to finish. bobg2007. “But if it’s 100 years old and you’ve stripped it, it’s going to be very dark,” Masaschi says. Disadvantages of Stained Kitchen Cabinets . Painting over stained wood can be a great way to give your furniture a new and refreshed look. You know, back when having a paneled “den” was popular. Follow these steps for a successful paint job: Step 1: Make sure that your wood is in good shape. Meaning: it's going to absorb much, much more of what you place on it than wood that is being repainted. Whirlpool Enthusiast reference: whrl.pl/Rd2q6B. Unlike paint, which completely masks the wood’s beauty, a stain allows you to highlight its natural qualities. 19% or less of moisture content is okay for staining. 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. 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. If you fail to do any of these, then tiny debris or dust might mix with your paint. 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