Monday, July 24, 2017

Oil first, then Latex

I've read varying accounts about whether oil can go over latex or latex over oil. The consensus is yes on latex over oil but maybe not oil over latex. Anyway, the point about this post is to never, ever, ever use a latex primer on bare wood since it has the tendency to raise the grain in the wood. Here's what you might get


Notice the diagonal ribbons on the door jamb. That area was completely smooth before painting but the water from the paint raised the grain. When this happens you kind of have a mess. You can sand it down but latex doesn't sand so great, especially before it cures. Then you'd have to use an oil primer and then it's safe to apply latex. This is pine and I'm sure some wood varieties don't have this issue as much. I've noticed alder to be fairly stable with latex. Cedar doesn't have a raised grain but does leak tannins through latex, so oil base is essential. Also, I've noticed not all pine has this issue and it depends on the cut of the wood, with the quartersawn/end grain being mostly resistant to swelling and lesser cuts (most of what you encounter in paint grade/finger joint) being problematic.

So, for me, always oil primer on bare woods, then latex. The oil effectively seals the wood so the water can't mess with the grain

No comments:

Post a Comment