Sealer or paint??

[EmpirE231]

what would you use, and what works best / long term to sealing and protecting wood from the elements?

I have a barn style building @ the back of the property, the entire back of the building is sheeted w/ 3/8" plywood. It does get a lot of sun, and it gets the socal rain. I just replaced all the wood back there so I'd like to keep it in good shape as long as possible. Should I use some sort of paint.... sealer... or both??

 

[coolchange]

Never paint wood. Unless you get the super hi dollars acrilics or water ever they are.
If you want color you need a solid body stain.
Edit, I have used rust oleum on wood.

 

[Orange Juice]

The new paint is incredible. It's going to seal up every place you didn't caulk, and cover up any chips you didn't scrap off, and will last. I did mine 10 years ago, and it still looks great. No cracking anywhere.
I think I got it at Home Depot. Just make sure you use the “wood” type paint on wood, and masonry type on the block.

 

[Bigbore500r]

This is gonna be an uphill battle - 3/8" plywood as exposed exterior siding is gonna warp and cup. If your gonna seal it up as best as possible on the outside, you need to do the same to the backside of the panels to prevent a moisture imbalance on the 2 sides. I'm assuming this isn't gonna get covered with paper or another layer of water proofing?

 

[pixrthis]

I went to Oregon and bought an oil based stain last year hoping I wouldn’t have to sand and stain every year but I won’t know until next summer.

 

[2Driver]

Ive had great results with…

Penofin Rosewood oil stains
or
Sherwood Williams Emerald paint line.

Either way take an extra wallet

 

[EmpirE231]

This is gonna be an uphill battle - 3/8" plywood as exposed exterior siding is gonna warp and cup. If your gonna seal it up as best as possible on the outside, you need to do the same to the backside of the panels to prevent a moisture imbalance on the 2 sides. I'm assuming this isn't gonna get covered with paper or another layer of water proofing?

This is just the outside layer. There is paper under it, then 1/2” OSB and another layer of paper.

I’m just trying to keep it cosmetically okay without needed a ton of maintenance.

 

[Bigbore500r]

This is just the outside layer. There is paper under it, then 1/2” OSB and another layer of paper.

I’m just trying to keep it cosmetically okay without needed a ton of maintenance.

Gotcha

Not sure in that case, i'd imagne that even with the surface sealed, the water will want to penetrate at the gaps where sheets come together, and get behind the boards / on top of the paper, getting the backside wet. Sealing the joints might be touch as large sheets of wood expand and contract in the sunlight / heat. Do you have strips of wood that overlay the gaps where the sheets come together?

 

[EmpirE231]

Gotcha

Not sure in that case, i'd imagne that even with the surface sealed, the water will want to penetrate at the gaps where sheets come together, and get behind the boards / on top of the paper, getting the backside wet. Sealing the joints might be touch as large sheets of wood expand and contract in the sunlight / heat. Do you have strips of wood that overlay the gaps where the sheets come together?

yeah I see what you're saying. No strips on the seams unfortunately. I just tore off the 30YR old + wood that was there, which was pretty hammered. If I can get it to last another 20-30years I'd be okay with that.

 

[endobear]

I would use an oil based transparent or semi transparent stain. Reapply after a few years. Hose it down with an airless or even a Hudson sprayer. Back roll or back brush it in. Penofin is good. It's linseed based product. Once you apply a linseed. You have to use linseed forever.
Not sure what look your going for.
If you paint. It can be a pia to maintain. Stain is easy to maintenance.

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

How about a pic or 2. I'll I read is "wood" is it plywood? OSB? T-111? Shiplap? Ect..

That would help determine what you should do. Jmo

 

[Backlash]

I hate to bring this up, but the quality of plywood available today is not quite the same as the products available 10+ years ago. The moment it gets wet, it's most likely going to separate and begin to warp.

Why not look into a quality siding that doesn't need maintenance? It wouldn't be cheap, but it would probably last a lot longer. Hardie products might be exactly what you need.

 

[wallnutz]

You will get 10 different opinions for this. First off you won’t find good oil stain in So Cal. Sherwin Williams makes a good water Bourne stain that holds up well. The problem with that is you won’t be able to caulk the cracks and have them not be seen. Dunn Edwards makes a good water based primer called EZ prime, it’s formulated for wood. It blocks out stains and adheres good. The big thing is to get all the seams and edges sealed good. A good acrylic enamel will hold up good, just have to keep in eye out for any spots that looks like it’s going to fail. Just have to keep up on it. No other way but preventative maintenance.

 

[Mandelon]

I have had very good luck with Behr Exterior stains. They are available in transparent or semi transparent varieties. Price is very reasonable. You can spray, brush or roll. Or spray and back roll too. Regular paint can peel, the stains won't do that. The coating should last many years.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Chevron Shingle Oil | Chevron Lubricants (US)

www.chevronlubricants.com

 

[lbhsbz]

You’re not gonna seal it if it’s it’s already installed bare.

If the final sheeting isn’t yet installed, coat it with acetone thinned epoxy on both sides and all edges…2 Coats, then paint, then hang it. Expensive, but you won’t have to think about it for 20+ years.

I’m not sure where you are but I haven’t come up with a good 20 year paint in CA yet….I’m lucky if I get 5 years outta the “good” stuff….so I resort to boat building and use the paint to keep the UV off the good stuff.

 

[Gramps]

Penofin

Wood Finishes, Wood Stains & Wood Preparations | Penofin

Penofin - PURE LIFE. PURE STYLE. Our exterior wood finishes, wood stains and wood care products set the bar for quality, durability and ease of maintenance.

www.penofin.com

 

[Sharky]

Ive had great results with…

Penofin Rosewood oil stains
or
Sherwood Williams Emerald paint line.

Either way take an extra wallet

+1 on the SW Emerald line!! It ain't cheap but it lasts just about forever

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

If you live in CA have a friend bring you some good stuff from Free America.

 

[RadMan]

I bought this stuff years ago and its protective powers on regular plywood is quite incredible. It’s expensive, the fiberglass resin thinned down with acetone is working similarly I suspect. But this stuff, if in the budget, works. I do not know if it has any UV protection. It’s viscosity is like diesel fluid. I’ve included a pic of boat seats I built with regular plywood and sealed with this sealer. Had to get one redone so I snapped a pic of the frame. Still looks brand new 12 years later after countless wet/dry cycles.

 

[NicPaus]

I used this on IPE wood fence. Did not last a year and had to be re done. Guy at Ganahl said it was the best.

Tried another on a different fence. Best stain and clear coat was most expensive. Looks like shit after 2 years. CA products are trash these days.

 

[mesquito_creek]

I used this on IPE wood fence. Did not last a year and had to be re done. Guy at Ganahl said it was the best.

Tried another on a different fence. Best stain and clear coat was most expensive. Looks like shit after 2 years. CA products are trash these days. View attachment 1328572

Same here with whatever I have tried. So now I soak my pole barn RV cover with a wood deck once a year. I use a airless pump sprayer and 5 gallons of whatever water based deck sealer is at HD/Lowes.

 

[EmpirE231]

Well I’m short on time and a storm is coming lol. Gonna try this out. Says 25years on siding. I’d be happy with 5 years View attachment 1328595

 

[Mandelon]