What is the best paint for old weathered wood?

Author: Joannie Thompson  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Oil-Based Deck Paints: Oil-based paints penetrate deeply into the wood, providing a durable finish that's less likely to chip or peel. They're particularly effective for decks that have seen a lot of wear and tear.

Can you paint over old weathered wood?

Our tip for painting over rotting or weathered wood is to use oil-based primers, because oil primers seal the wood grains and prevent bubbling. Prime any filled spots first, and then work your way from the top of the exterior wall to the bottom.

How do you make old weathered wood look new again?

One way is to use a stain that will create an aged appearance, or you can use a sealant that will give the wood a aged appearance. You can also use weathering techniques to create an aged look on the wood. Another way is to use a sealant or top coat that will give the wood a faded, washed-out look.

How do you paint weathered treated wood?

Yes, the short answer is absolutely you can paint pressure treated wood easily using high quality exterior primer and latex paint, but you should wait until it dries first, wash and scrub off all the excess treatment chemicals that seep out, then after it dries once more it's ready for primer and paint!

Do I need to prime old wood before painting?

Yes, priming wood furniture is essential for achieving a smooth, long-lasting finish. Primer helps to seal the wood, block stains, and create a base for the paint to adhere to. It's especially important for porous woods, furniture with knots, or surfaces previously painted with oil-based paint.

How To Make New Wood Look Old & Weathered

What is the best way to paint old wood?

Step-by-Step: How to Prep and Paint Wood Surfaces Like a Pro
  1. Step 1: Gather Your Materials. Before you begin, ensure you have all the necessary materials on hand. ...
  2. Step 2: Clean the Surface. ...
  3. Step 3: Sand the Surface. ...
  4. Step 4: Fill Any Gaps. ...
  5. Step 5: Apply Primer. ...
  6. Step 6: Paint the Wood. ...
  7. Step 7: Seal the Paint.

What is the best primer to use on exterior wood?

Acrylic sealing primers, usually 100 percent acrylic, hide stains and seal tannins. Some acrylics seal out moisture and mildew or block odors as well. "These primers are ideal for delivering the best appearance of flats and enamels on doors, trim and exterior siding," according to Revnew.

What is the best paint to cover weathered wood?

High-Durability Acrylics: These paints are known for their long-lasting finish and excellent protection against the elements. They're resistant to peeling and fading and come in a variety of colors, allowing for personalization of your outdoor space.

What happens if you paint over treated wood?

The good news is that yes, you can absolutely paint pressure treated lumber. In fact, it's recommended to apply a protective layer of paint or stain, increasing its health, longevity, and beauty. After all, pressure treated wood has a strong start, but it won't last forever.

What is the best exterior paint for treated wood?

The best paint for pressure-treated wood is a water-based high quality, exterior latex paint.

How to bring old wood back to life?

3 Ways To Bring Old Furniture Back To Life
  1. Restoring The Finish: Wood polishes, conditioners, and refinishing products can revitalize a tired, faded wood surface. ...
  2. Chalk Paint: Chalk painting is a great way to give new life to an old piece of furniture—and you can achieve it without stripping, sanding, or priming.

How to clean 100 year old woodwork?

Denatured Alcohol: Choose denatured alcohol such as methylated spirits or a wood spirit. Denatured alcohol is basically ethanol with a few extra ingredients that make it a more aggressive substance. In other words, denatured alcohol is an excellent solvent for cleaning.

How do you make an old weathered deck look good?

The goals of the project should be to assess the current condition of the deck, make any necessary repairs to the structure, tighten existing fasteners, strip old paint or stain, clean the deck, sand the surface, and finish the job by adding a wood brightener before painting or staining to seal the wood against UV ...

Is it better to stain or paint weathered wood?

Paint generally lasts longer as it forms a protective layer against weathering. However, stains won't peel like paints might over time.

How do you restore badly weathered wood?

Sanding is often the first step in breathing new life into weathered wood. It removes the damaged outer layer, smooths out imperfections, and prepares the surface for treatment such as adding polish, lacquer, primer and paint. Pro Tip: Always sand in the direction of the wood grain.

Should you sand old paint before repainting wood?

If the wood's previously been used and painted, again sand it down, initially with a light-grade grit, bearing in mind that the purpose of sanding is to provide a solid base for the new paint so it's not necessary to remove all previous paint but the finish must be clean and with no loose or flaking areas.

Do I need to prime pressure-treated wood before painting?

Water-based exterior latex paint will stick to pressure-treated wood, but we advise priming with a latex primer first.

Is it better to stain or paint treated wood?

While deck paint still adds a protective barrier against water, UV rays, and other factors, it doesn't penetrate deep down into the wood like deck stains do. It is usually thicker than deck stain, so it creates a solid coating on the outside surface of the wood, creating that barrier on top of the wood surface.

Can you paint untreated wood for outdoor use?

Untreated wood is the most susceptible to rot, fungi, and general weathering. It's extremely important that you use a wood preservative first. You can either use a wax enriched preservative for an all-round coating or alternatively use a wax-free preserver if you want to then use a stain or a paint on top.

What is the toughest exterior paint for wood?

Acrylic. Acrylic paints are the most popular choice for exterior wood projects. They provide excellent coverage and can be applied quickly without special primers or sealers. They offer superior fade resistance, so they won't easily discolor due to sun exposure or moisture buildup.

Is Sherwin Williams deck stain better than Behr?

Consumer Reports just tested 76 products under tough conditions that accelerate the effects of the elements, from spring showers to summer sun to the sleet and snow that can torment siding and decks in colder months. Sherwin-Williams won big among paints, while Behr took home top honors among stains.

How do you paint old wood without sanding it?

How to Paint Furniture without Sanding
  1. Apply No Sand Primer. Apply a primer to the wood that bonds nicely with the type of paint you are using.
  2. Use Chalk Paint. Chalk paint can be used for just about any type of wood. ...
  3. Use Milk Paint. ...
  4. Use Enamel Paint. ...
  5. Apply Liquid Sandpaper or Deglossers. ...
  6. Add a Bonding Agent to the Paint.

Is kilz a good primer for outdoor wood?

Best for use in

Use on almost all exterior surfaces including stucco, wood, masonry and brick.

What is the best primer for wood without sanding?

We recommend using Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 for glossy surfaces like varnished wood. Zinsser Bulls Eye is a 'bond coat' primer that's great for hard-to-stick surfaces as it offers excellent adhesion without sanding.

Do I need to prime exterior wood before painting?

Bare wood is among the more difficult substrates for a paint topcoat to adhere to. In the past, there was no substitute for a good slow-drying oil-based primer on bare wood. It takes a long time to dry, allowing plenty of time for it to soak into the wood, and it sticks better than any other type of primer to wood.

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