Rawlins Paints Blog Industrial Paint Tips, Guidelines & DIY Articles
Our 3-step guide below will show you how to paint denatured timber, a typically friable surface that can be tricky to decorate without the correct preparation, using Zinsser products available in over 4,000+ RAL, NCS and BS colours.
For help on painting friable exterior walls, see our other blog post or scroll to the bottom for further reading on painting other problem timber surfaces.
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Zinsser Paint Denatured Timber Products
Zinsser Paint Denatured Timber Products
Zinsser Mould Killer & Remover
Zinsser Universal Degreaser & Cleaner
Zinsser AllCoat Exterior Satin/Gloss
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The Benefits
Denatured timber surfaces require the right preparation and primer in order to decorate effectively, given their friable nature. Wood surfaces begin to break down when left exposed to the weather and UV light, leaving a furry or fibrous surface that paint struggles to adhere to.
These denatured wood surfaces may include:
- Outdoor furniture – Chairs and tables for patrons to sit and eat and socialise should be well looked after as they portray the image of your business to passing trade; crucial for pubs, cafes and restaurants competing on a busy high street.
- Benches and handrails – Public services, such as libraries and council buildings, often have places to rest and rails to aid walking.
- Door and window frames – Allowing these to decay not only looks bad for business but can also affect energy ratings if it breaks the seal around doors and windows. Landlords will want to correct the problem if they are to attract tenants to business premises or homes as this will help reduce monthly bills and wear on the property.
- Cladding – Farm outbuildings that stand out in all weathers may house animals or expensive machinery that needs protecting from the elements.
- Decking – Pubs and restaurants love to create an atmosphere if there’s a view worth sharing – ensuring the decking is up to scratch will encourage patrons to spend more time at the establishment, and make use of anti-slip GRP and tape products to help improve safety.
Zinsser listens to contactors and develops new products – or adds features to existing products – to meet their changing needs, delivering world class products that meet “real world” challenges, providing tried and tested solutions to painting problems, such as painting denatured timber.
Step 1. Surface Preparation
Ensure the denatured timber surface is clean and dry, free from anything that could interfere with the adhesion or application of the materials and products to be applied.
Loose and failing material should be removed by scraping and/or using a hot air stripper to a sound edge, feathering the resulting sound edge with a fine grade abrasive paper.
Prior to painting, the moisture content should not exceed 12%.
Remove all dust.
Remove all visible signs of organic growth, treating the areas with Zinsser Mould Killer & Remover and allow to dry. Fill any cracks and small defects in the surface with a suitable filler, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, allowing the surface to dry before rubbing down with a fine grade abrasive paper.
Remove all dust and, for areas with sound paint, clean down with Zinsser Universal Degreaser & Cleaner to remove any contaminants, rinsing thoroughly with clean water to remove all residues.
Allow to dry before beginning to prime.
Step 2. Priming
Prime the surface overall with one full coat of Zinsser Peel Stop, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, allowing 2 hours minimum drying time (in normal drying conditions) before using one full coat of Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 (also in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions). Allow a minimum of 1 hour to dry, in normal drying conditions, before moving on to decorate.
Step 3. Decoration
Now the denatured timber surface has been suitably prepared and primed, it can be decorated with two full coats of Zinsser AllCoat Exterior (in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, allowing a minimum drying time of one hour between coats), available in more than 4,000+ RAL, NCS and BS colours in satin and gloss finishes.
More Information
If you require more advice on painting denatured timber, give our technical team a call on 0113 2455450 (option 2) or send a message to [email protected].
Further Reading
- How To Paint Friable Exterior Walls
- How To Paint Knotted And Resinous Timber
- A Guide to Timber Cladding Maintenance
- How To Paint Exterior Woodstained Or Varnished Surfaces
- How To Paint Woodstained Or Varnished Surfaces
- Exterior Wood Protection Products for Autumn, Summer, Spring and Winter
- Wood Oils: A No Nonsense Guide