Content

• To step
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

You may think that after walking and cycling, painting wood comes third of things that are "super easy to do." That could be the case if the wood you want to paint is attached to an old shed and it doesn't matter anyway. If you want to paint wood, you have a few options: you do it well, or you do it sloppily. You have to do the best you can, so with a little patience and good technique, you can paint wood just as well as a professional painter.

To step

1. Take the time to prepare the wood for painting. This is probably the most overlooked, and it is very important. As with a great artist, your work can only become good if the canvas on which your creations are created is perfect. Paint will not fill in cracks, dents, holes or other imperfections in the wood and will not hide it once it has dried. You actually see those imperfections even better.
   • Remove the loose old paint (if it is on). Use a paint scraper to remove as much of the old paint as possible.
   • Unless your surface has been treated with oil, do not use chemical paint remover. Scrape off as much as possible and clean it with paint cleaner. Rinse well.
   • Fill in any dents and deep cracks with a good quality wood filler. Use a flexible putty knife and fill in any pieces that need extra attention. Better to use too much than too little in this step. You sand it smooth again after drying.
   • Use regular putty for small or shallow scratches.
2. Sand the piece where you used wood filler or putty. Use fine sandpaper for this job.
3. Sand with the grain, not against it.
4. Use coarser paper for old brush strokes in the old paint. These must be well sanded.
5. Kit very long and deep cracks. Use very fine sandpaper to smooth it well.
6. Wet a rag and wipe off all dust, dirt, scour, etc. away. It doesn't get any nicer if this gets into your paint.
7. Take the time to dye it properly.
   • Use good quality paint and brushes.
   • Use slow drying paint (no latex) unless you add something to slow down the drying time. Slow drying paint gives less visible brush strokes.
   • Put paint on the brush, start at the top and move down. Repeat this 3-4 times without waiting too long between layers.
   • Do not wait more than 1 minute and apply the paint to the wood, moving the tip of the brush over the wood.
8. Make long movements. The brush strokes will stretch as the paint dries; that's why you should use slow drying paint.

Tips

• Use a sturdy putty knife to scrape off old paint and a flexible putty knife to fill in gaps.

Warnings

• Wear gloves when using chemical paint cleaner.
• Wear a face mask if you are sanding or scraping paint. Old paint in particular can contain lead, which is very harmful to health.

Necessities

• Sturdy putty knife
• Flexible putty knife
• Different types of sandpaper
• Wood filler, sealant, putty
• Good quality brushes and paint