Our Process: Painting Stained Wood

Stained woodwork in a home can be a very appealing look, however, there are many reasons why homeowners decide it’s time to update the look by painting it. Whether it be that the color of stain no longer blends with their new floors or that they want the more modern appeal of painted woodwork, painting these surfaces instead of replacing them can be a very viable and cost-saving option. Yet, just as with any painting project, there is more to the process than simply applying paint to the surfaces. In an attempt to avoid the horrors of paint failure on your stained wood trim, check out the list below of things to take into account before you start your project.

CLEAN SURFACE:

Prior to any products being applied to the surfaces, be sure that everything is lightly sanded and cleaned prior to the application of primer. Start by wiping the surfaces clean with a product like Acetone to remove any surface debris. Once the surface has dried, lightly sand the areas with 320 grit sandpaper. The goal is not to sand away the existing finish, just enough sanding to lightly scuff the surface and allow for better adhesion of the primer. Once the sanding is completed, another pass with the acetone is necessary to ensure the surfaces are completely clean and no debris is left behind.

PRIMING:

Once the surfaces have been cleaned and lightly sanded, the next step is to sela in the surfaces with a coat of primer. A stain blocking primer such as a shellac-based or oil-based product will prevent any wood knots from showing through and will also allow for better adhesion of the paint. Although there are numerous primer-and-paint in one products on the market, we believe it is crucial to the longevity of your paint job to apply a stand alone primer prior to painting.

CAULKING AND FILLING:

Stained woodwork has an amazing way of hiding gaps and nail holes that become very apparent once they have been coated white with the primer. In order for the paint job to be uniform, you will need to fill any nail holes and caulk any gaps prior to painting. It is best to do this process before painting so that the caulk/putty doesn’t yellow over time since it will be covered with paint.

PAINTING:

Now that all of the prep work has been completed, it is time for the icing on the cake, the painting. We recommend that you apply two coats of a premium enamel to all surfaces to ensure that there is a uniform finish of both the color and sheen that is desired. While one coat of paint could do the trick, there is a very high likelihood that areas will be thin in coverage or lack the desired colorant if one coat is done instead of two. As with anything, the easier route often does not provide the best result.

In a nutshell, the transformational power of painting stained woodwork is hard to match and is often a far more cost effective process than full replacement. If this process seems overwhelming or tedious, feel free to give us a call today to give you a quote to paint the stained woodwork at your home.