Painting exterior wood: this is how you do it

Wooden cladding, garden fences, external doors, etc. are exposed to sun, rain, wind and temperature fluctuations day in and day out. Whether you need to repaint an old coat of paint or are painting wood for the first time, the combination of ‘wood’ and ‘outdoors’ poses its own challenges. Customers expect an aesthetically pleasing result that will last for years – despite all outdoor conditions. In this article, we explain how to achieve that long-lasting, professional result.

Wood behaves differently outdoors than indoors. UV radiation, moisture, wind and large temperature differences make wood expand and contract throughout the year, putting constant pressure on the paint layer. In addition, each wood species reacts differently to paint. A high tannin content, for example, can lead to discolouration if you don't use an appropriate primer. Or again: porous wood absorbs more paint, thus requiring more layers.

Painting wood outdoors therefore requires a specific approach and different products than painting wood indoors. In this article, you will find out how to go about it. In any case, before painting wood, it makes sense to consider these specific points of interest.

Even more than in other paint projects, the elasticity of your primer is crucial. Zinsser® Cover Stain® is the ideal base coat for all exterior wooden surfaces thanks to its long-lasting elasticity and isolating properties. It penetrates deep into the substrate and avoids, among others, tannin bleeds from showing through the top coat. In short, this solvent-based primer is perfectly suited for irregular wooden panels, trim work and hardwood surfaces. 

The best finishing layer for wooden surfaces outside is Zinsser Allcoat Exterior. This water-based, elastic product is ideal for painting most types of wood. It is in fact a primer and top coat in one with better elasticity than traditional lacquers or other moisture-regulating primers and will therefore not crack when the wood shrinks or expands. Allcoat Exterior also has good vapour permeability, which is important to allow the wood to breathe and avoid blistering or cracking of the paint.

Follow these steps to optimally prepare the exterior wood surface.

When the surface is dry, you can apply the top coat of Zinsser® Allcoat Exterior. Follow these steps for an optimal result.

Need to paint exterior wood? Then the combination of Zinsser® Cover Stain® and Zinsser® Allcoat Exterior is the best choice. These flexible products have been specially developed to withstand all outdoor conditions. They are weather-resistant and retain their colour exceptionally well.