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. Archive View Return to standard view. last updated – posted 2014-Jul-26, 7:21 pm AEST posted 2014-Jul-26, 7:21 pm AEST User #153928 1289 posts. But I'm falling at the first hurdle as to which to go with. Pressure-treated lumber can be painted or stained, but stain will not soak in as deeply with treated wood than it would with raw. Solid wood furniture is heavy! 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. You can use oil based or water based latex primer - you can even use spray paint. Manufacturers make polyurethane from synthetic resins … Paint tends to provide color uniformity, has various degrees of sheen, and has a broader color range. Can you tell if deck paint vs Stained? 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. This is important because unfinished wood is a porous surface! However, I think this might be a case where nobody can tell you for sure what's going to happen. Laminate is plastic, and can be painted, but not stained. I know. If the paint doesn't come off, it's oil-based, and an oil-based primer is a must. It will make the cleaning easier since you just have to apply it. Paint is often more expensive per gallon, is more time consuming to apply, and always should be applied over a primed surface. Solid wood is exactly as it sounds and solid wood can be painted or stained also. It is easily applied and recoated, and surface preparation is usually minimal. Whether or not stained wood needs to be stripped depends on whether or not the wood was varnished. 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. Usually stains tend to be somewhat transparent so you can see the grain of the wood through the color. Even so, some older homes can still benefit from painting trim. If you can't see the grain then it may be a solid bodied stain and they are usually made with acrylic (water base). That should be your first clue. Find out which is better for the grade or type of wood like oak, cedar and mahogany. Solid Wood. Another way of telling if you wood is ready for staining is to pour a little water on the wood. 2. If you are planning on using oil based paint, use an oil based primer. Natural Wood Windows Are Warm. Traditional Stain (Previously Stained or Painted Wood) There are two conventional methods for staining a finished piece of furniture, whether it has an existing stain or is painted. You know, back when having a paneled “den” was popular. If you fail to do any of these, then tiny debris or dust might mix with your paint. How can you tell if an exterior stain on a deck is oil or acrylic? Cedar wood does not take paint well, and paint can actually reduce the lifespan of your cedar fence. Don’t let people tell you that white looks less dated if you like natural wood. Let the battle begin: MDF vs. wood … or even a Hybrid door (wood framing with a MDF center panel)? Cherry is a very smooth wood with a mild grain that can be stained a variety of colors. Step 2: Mix ¼ cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and a gallon of water. I'm buying a newly renovated condo that has beautiful poplar trim throughout it and have the opportunity to pick paint/stain colour schemes. Rough sawn wood will need significant prep work if using paint. If your home was previously stained, switching to paint is not very labor intensive. Stain is generally less slippery than paint. How Do You Know It Is Ready to Stain? Then you have options for the finish coat, and different types of latex or oil-based paint can be used. Most times, you’re right. If you are using dark paint, thin it down a bit with some water. You can apply the primer with either a brush or roller. Unrepaired cracks will cause the new paint to peel because water can seep behind the paint film. Your stained wood should not have dust or any other dirt that might interfere with your work. I do not know if the original stain is oil or acrylic. HomeAdvisor's Painted vs. Stained Cabinets Guide compares paint and stain for kitchen and bathroom cabinets, including pros, cons, costs, and types like gel stain or white paint. Or you can use a moisture meter. Hi Guys, Purchased my place about 6 months … Our project used walnut oil, but you can use any type of wood stain or dark paint for similar results. For example, the old Victorian-style “painted lady” houses can certainly get away with brighter paint colors. posted 2014-Jul-26, 3:17 pm AEST ref: whrl.pl/Rd2q6B. One current trend that has everyone whipping out their paintbrushes is painted wood paneling. Polyurethane is a highly durable finishing material that comes in high-gloss, gloss or matte finishes. If you are planning on using a water based latex paint, use a water based latex primer. If the water is absorbed into the wood easily, it’s ready to seal or stain. 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 just bought the wood, let it weather for at least 60 days to allow the chemicals to evaporate and work their way out of the wood. If it takes two people to move that little coffee table, it's probably solid wood. Whirlpool Enthusiast reference: whrl.pl/Rd2q6B. Yes, you can paint over stained wood. To begin with, MDF kitchen cabinets and stain do go hand in hand. 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. In fact, there are numerous correct ways to paint stained wood and the method you choose should depend on the type of stain used, the state of the wood, and whether or not you’re painting a piece of furniture or some other structure. Once the preliminary sanding is complete, apply wood stain or dark paint as a coloring agent to low spots and areas where wood has been exposed. If your deck is made of cypress, redwood or cedar, and it’s in good shape, you may choose to stain it to showcase its color. stained ceilings from sweat, and also mold and odor. Repair cracks if there are any. Make sure the wood is dry. You can refinish solid wood easily, and veneer if you're careful. posted 2014-Jul-26, 3:17 pm AEST O.P. Here's how to tell the difference between real wood and fake wood! If I wanted painted kitchen cabinet doors, which would I choose? One option is to completely sand off the entire finish so that you get down to the bare wood. I get it. Once finished, let it air dry. Old dingy white windows and sills look dated, the key to a fresh look is a fresh well maintained finish. You can just easily clean it with soap and water. 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. If the water beads up, it’s still too wet to finish. 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. With stains, primers are not always required. 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. However, stain has its advantages also. 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)? Kiln-dried wood will be dry at purchase and can be stained immediately. It must dry out before treating, too. 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. Pour a bit of water on the surface of the boards. You will be able to tell there is an adhesion issue going on as you paint. Pressure treated wood is ready to stain when it is no longer retaining the excess moisture from the treatment process. 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. 19% or less of moisture content is okay for staining. Follow these steps for a successful paint job: Step 1: Make sure that your wood is in good shape. Disadvantages of Stained Kitchen Cabinets . Andersen 200 Series Natural Wood Interior Windows. Painting over stained wood can be a great way to give your furniture a new and refreshed look. “But if it’s 100 years old and you’ve stripped it, it’s going to be very dark,” Masaschi says. The best way to apply the coloring agent is with a clean rag. If the water beads, it's not dry enough. My deck railings need to be restained or painted. A standard water test will let you know when the pressure-treated lumber is ready. Pressure treated wood that contains a water repellant will not absorb a water-based stain as well as an oil-based exterior stain. This lumber will have a stamp or tag that says ADAT (air-dried after treatment) or KDAT (kiln-dried after treatment). This has been discussed and debated online in articles and forums with no clear cut winner that I can tell. Not preparing stained surfaces correctly can lead to a poor, streaky painted finish and eventually peeling. How can you tell if your house is sealed to tightly? How to Paint over Stained Wood. Unfinished Wood vs. 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 To Paint Stained Wood Trim 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. Meaning: it's going to absorb much, much more of what you place on it than wood that is being repainted. How to Paint Over Non-Oil Based Stain on Cedar Siding. bobg2007. Paint over your stained wood with a paint primer first. 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 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. 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