- 1). Make sure the wood is dry before applying a finish. The wood is delivered to the lumberyard wet and it takes several weeks to dry out. To test the wood to see if it is dry enough for finishing, drop a small amount of water on it. If it beads up, it needs to dry more. If it soaks in quickly, you can paint or stain.
- 2). Cover up all nails and screw holes before painting. One way to do this is to screw from the bottom of the lumber (where water doesn't fall on or rest). Also, you can use wood putty or caulk to fill any surface nail or screw holes.
- 3). Cover up any exposed areas where you do not want paint to get with masking tape and drop cloths.
- 4). Paint the wood, making sure it is clean of all debris. Any exterior grade paint is fine to use to paint treated lumber. Apply a thin layer of paint to the wood and allow it to dry. After the paint is dry, you may need to apply a second coat. After the final coat is dry, remove all of the masking tape and drop cloths.
SHARE
