Best Paints for Wood
When it comes to paint, there’s a lot of marketing jargon that marketers use to tempt you into purchasing one brand over another. Sometimes it can get overwhelming.
Is acrylic what I want? This one says it’s enamel! Is that good? What is that, anyway? Can I use oil-based paints outside? Will they degrade?
Often you may leave the store with more questions than answers, but we’re here to cut through all the marketing jargon and get straight to the point.
If you’re in need of decent wood paint, all you’ve got to know are a few simple facts about the wood you’re painting, whether it’s going to be indoor or outdoor, and how long you want it to last.
Let’s go through the basics.
What to Consider When Buying Paint for Wood
Surface. There are two main factors to consider when choosing the best paint for wood, the first being wood surface.
Depending on the type of wood surface you’re painting, your paint choices will vary. If you’re painting an indoor piece of furniture, for example, you could choose a high-gloss, latex, non-waterproof paint, and you wouldn’t have to worry about sealing the wood.
However, for an outdoor piece of furniture, that same exact paint would be totally wrong for the application – you would need something more weather-resistant and preferably something that contained sealant like polyurethane.
Durability and Longevity. These are the second factors. Less expensive paints are often less durable – this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but if you plan to paint something and don’t want to re-paint it for years (or even decades); it’s something to keep in mind.
Generally, less expensive paints are more prone to break down and are more suitable for interior applications where they won’t be exposed to the elements.
Conversely, specialized exterior wood paints will cost more initially, but will require less upkeep, even when exposed to the elements.