Masonry paint is used on exterior walls because it’s durable and long-lasting, but can it deliver the same results on other surfaces like wood? Apart from its resilience, masonry paints are available in a wide array of colors which can be tempting for DIYers looking for exciting hues for their woodwork.
So, this brings us to the main question, Can masonry paint be used on wood in the first place?
The answer is yes! Masonry paint is highly versatile, so you can use it on different surfaces, including wood, plastic, metal, etc. However, wood is porous, which means it can trap moisture under its surface, resulting in masonry paint peeling and chipping off. Therefore, it’s crucial to prepare the wood thoroughly and prime it before applying paint for a lasting finish.
You can paint almost any object with masonry paint, but that doesn’t mean it will give the results it delivers on exterior walls. But I will tell you how you can make it work despite the permeable surface of the wood.
Can you use masonry paint on wood?
Yes, you can apply masonry paint on wooden objects.
Masonry paint is designed for exterior walls. Therefore, it resists water, rain, wind, and other environmental stressors. Its finish is weatherproof and long-lasting, making it an ideal choice for outdoors.
If you decide to use masonry paint on wood, you must ensure the surface is thoroughly prepped and primed because it is a porous surface. Failing to do so will result in the color getting absorbed into the wood and a patchy finish.
Can you use masonry paint on wooden fence?
If you decide to paint your wooden fences with masonry paint, you can expect it to last for a long time. However, you should remember that wall paint is formulated to sit on top of the surface, creating a protective film. If you use it on a wooden fence, don’t expect to see the wood grain the same way you’d see with fence paint.
Moreover, wooden fence panels made from rough-sawn timber will absorb more paint than planed timber. So, you must know how to paint a wooden fence to get a lasting finish.
When you first apply masonry paint to a fence, you will find that it is similar to fence paint in terms of thickness but still easier to apply. Because of this, you need fewer coats of masonry paint than you would with fence paint.
Can you use masonry paint on a wooden shed?
Masonry paint is excellent for your wooden shed because it is weatherproof. It works better for planed timber such as tongue, shiplap, and groove compared to rough-sawn wood, as it’s challenging to cover the latter evenly.
The perk of using masonry paints for your wooden surfaces is the variety of colors and finishes you can choose from. Take Krylon COLORmaxx Acrylic Latex Brush On Paint for Indoor/Outdoor Use, which has unique colors like Sun Yellow, Regal Blue, Pumpkin Orange, Hunter Green, and others. The hues are available in three finishes: Gloss, Flat, and Satin, so you have plenty to choose from.
Can you use masonry paint On wood decking?
Absolutely! Masonry paint works great for wood decking since it is formulated for the outdoors, but you must choose a type with acrylic inside.
Acrylic paint is great for your deck because it is easier to maintain and remove if needed. The paint also creates a UV-resistant film on the surface which helps your wooden deck maintain its color.
It’s better not to use oil-based paints on the deck since they can seep into the wood and are very difficult to remove. Moreover, they don’t deliver the same results as acrylic paint.
Another good option for wooden decks is textured masonry paint because it gives more grip to the surface, especially when wet.
The RTG Deck, Porch, & Patio Anti-Slip Paint is an excellent option for painting your deck. It has a textured light sheen finish that offers secure footing on exterior surfaces that turn slippery when wet.
Pro Tip: When applying masonry paint on a wooden deck, water down the first coat, so it penetrates the wood. This gives the top layer a better chance of sticking to the surface for longer. |
Can masonry paint be used on indoor wood surfaces?
Using leftover masonry paint from your exterior walls inside the house can be tempting. And while you can apply it on indoor surfaces, masonry paint isn’t designed for it.
Exterior paint emits harmful fumes, which disappear when used outdoors but applying it inside the house exposes you and your family to several health hazards. When used in closed spaces, masonry paint can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat and cause nausea, headaches, and fatigue. You can read our blog to learn more about the difference between interior and exterior paints.
Also, if you plan to apply wall paint on furniture, read this blog to find out the best way to do it.
Best Masonry paints that you can use on wood
If you’re going to paint your wood surfaces with masonry paint, why not choose one that can be used on both surfaces?
Here are the best paints for masonry that are versatile enough for various application mediums.
Rust-Oleum Protective Enamel Paint
The Rust-Oleum Enamel paint offers a flat finish in three basic colors: white, black, and brown. It is an oil-based formula that works well on exterior and interior surfaces like masonry, wood, concrete, and metal. If you’re searching for a durable protective coating that withstands moisture, rust, abrasion, fading, and chipping, this is an excellent option to consider.
Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Latex Paint
The Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch is a water-based acrylic paint ideal for indoor and outdoor surfaces like masonry, wood, metal, plaster, and unglazed ceramic. It offers a flat finish that reduces surface imperfections and resists chipping for lasting results.
Krylon COLORmaxx Acrylic Latex Brush-On Paint
The Krylon is an acrylic latex paint that provides a satin finish on various interior and exterior surfaces such as wood, masonry, drywall, wrought iron, wicker, metal, and plastic. It delivers high-quality coverage and color with excellent adhesion and durability. Since the paint dries to the touch within an hour, you can quickly complete a project using the Krylon COLORmaxx.
How to use masonry paint on wood
If you decide to use masonry paint on wood, follow the complete process because painting wood is more complex than other non-porous surfaces.
Here is a quick guide to help you get lasting results on wood:
- Remove any old paint from the wood because you want to start with a clean surface. Take a putty knife and scrape off as much paint as you can. Don’t worry about removing all of it in one go since you will also be sanding the wood.
- With quality wood putty, fill in all the deep gouges and dings to create a smooth base.
- Sand the surface with a coarse sandpaper first and then move on to a finer 150-grit sandpaper to get the surface ready for priming.
- Clean away any sanding dust from the wood with a vacuum or tack cloth.
- Apply one coat of primer on the wooden surface and sand again with a fine-grit sandpaper. After cleaning the sanding residue, apply another layer of primer.
- Finally, layer on your masonry paint using a good-quality brush. Remember to avoid drenching your brush in paint; you want just the right amount for good coverage.
- Apply two to three layers of paint while waiting for 2 to 3 hours between coats.
- Finish the job with a clear topcoat or sealer to preserve the final paint finish.
Potential problems of painting wood
While it’s exciting to paint wood with different colors, you should be aware of a few downsides to the process.
- The paint traps moisture
Wood is absorbent, which is why moisture gets trapped in it, causing the timber to expand and contract over time. Therefore, it’s only a matter of time before the paint finish starts deteriorating. This is especially true for decks since water can soak into the wood from underneath.
- It masks wood’s natural beauty
Wood is a substance with grains and natural imperfections. So, when you paint over its surface with permanent color, it can be extremely challenging to remove the paint and restore its natural beauty. In addition, if you choose a dark color for painting wood, it will be more susceptible to fading. Therefore, you will have to recoat the surface repeatedly.
- The paint cannot reverse recurring problems
If you have had trouble with painted wood around the house, such as bubbling and peeling, the chances of potential problems recurring are much higher when you paint in the same area.
Insulating benefits of masonry paint
There are two primary reasons why homeowners opt for masonry paint for wood surfaces. The first one is purely decorative and aimed at improving the aesthetic appeal of their homes. The other reason is that masonry paint offers surfaces protection and insulation.
Homeowners prefer to insulate their homes to
- Reduce the cost of energy bills
- Protect against draughts and cold spots
- Prevent damage caused by dirt and wetness
Using masonry paint on wood ensures that your entire property is insulated. Since wooden surfaces are porous, they allow water and moisture to get absorbed and eventually trapped inside the walls. This results in the home becoming damp, cold, and expensive to run.
Masonry paint helps create a protective insulation layer on wood surfaces while still allowing it to contract and expand as per its nature. But preparing your wooden surfaces thoroughly is crucial to reap the full benefits of masonry paint insulation.
FAQs
Do you need an undercoat with masonry paint?
Using a primer is a must if you’re planning to paint a wooden surface with masonry paint. Remember to select an undercoat that’s compatible with your color coat. For example, you should apply an oil-based primer if you’re going to use an oil-based top coat.
What happens if you don’t prime exterior wood before painting?
When you don’t prime exterior wood, the paint is soaked up into the surface, resulting in a blotchy finish. Eventually, the painted wood starts to peel in two to three years.
What is the difference between masonry paint and regular paint?
Masonry paint is specially designed for exterior surfaces, which is why it’s formulated to withstand extreme temperatures, rain, hail, wind, and other environmental elements. Regular paint is created for interior spaces and, therefore, is not weather-resistant.
Do you need special paint for exterior wood?
The best paint for exterior wood is latex-based paint. The reason is that it’s flexible enough to allow the wood surface underneath it to expand and contract as per its nature. If you want the paint to last through excessive heat and moisture, it’s recommended to buy exterior latex paint for the best results.
Is masonry paint waterproof?
Masonry paint can withstand water, but it’s not designed to repel it completely. Therefore, you will notice that water gets soaked into walls after heavy rainfall. So, masonry paint is weather-resistant but not waterproof.
What can masonry paint be used for?
Masonry paint offers a durable and lasting finish to several surfaces, including brick walls, building blocks, concrete walls, wood, plastic, and metal surfaces.
Conclusion
Masonry paint is very versatile, which means you can use the leftover paint from your exterior walls on many surfaces other than masonry. You can even apply it to your wooden fence, deck, rims, windows, and more. Just remember to remove the old paint and prime the wood before applying masonry paint.
If you’re curious to find out what other surfaces wall paint can be used on, read ‘everything you need to know about using wall paint on canvas.’