There are water-based stains and oil-based stains. Oil stains last longer because they actually penetrate deep into the wood grain, so you won’t have to reapply it as often as you would a water based finish. That said, water-based stains are better for soft woods such as cypress, cedar, and pine because they are breathable. Use oil-based stains for hardwoods that can handle a solid seal, such as teak.
Best Paint for Outdoor Paint Projects
The summer months are an excellent time to cross outdoor painting projects off your to-do list. Painting outdoors requires a slightly different formula than interior jobs, and using the right paint is essential for a job well done.
Why the Paint Matters
If you have extra paint in your garage from when you repainted your living room, you may feel tempted to use it for an outdoor project. This is when your DIY guardian angel would show up and slap the paintbrush out of your hand. Exterior paint is explicitly made to withstand exposure to the sun, wind, and rain; interior formulas aren’t.
Oil-Based Paint
If you ask around, you’ll likely hear that oil-based paint is the best choice for outdoor wood projects. Oil-based paint is incredibly durable and adheres to wood exceptionally well, but it doesn’t expand or contract with temperature changes, so cracks are inevitable. It’s also prone to turning dull and chalky within a year or two after application.
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic formulas are the best outdoor paint for wood. Acrylic paint retains its color and sheen for longer. It’s also a flexible coating, so it’s less likely to crack and has fewer toxic fumes than oil-based exterior paint. If you’re painting outdoor furniture, remember that a higher sheen holds up better to friction from frequent touching than a lower one.
High Build Formulas
Even with the most strenuous preparation, there are some imperfections you can’t eliminate. This is the time for high-build paint to shine. It has a much thicker formula than other outdoor paint, allowing it to cover small cracks in fewer coats.
Primer
Don’t get too eager—before you start painting, prep your surface. You’ll also want to decide between paint thinner and mineral spirits to thin your paint. If there are rough patches, sand them down with fine-grit sandpaper to eliminate the risk of splinters. Once your furniture is cleaned, apply a coat of primer, especially if you plan to use brush-on paint (as in, not spray paint).
Look for a primer that’s specific to the material you’re using. Metal furniture, for example, will need a specific rust-resistant primer. Also check to make sure the primer you use is suitable for outdoor use.
Plastic outdoor furniture won’t need much prep work. While their color is known to fade, the texture typically remains smooth and most plastic paint is formulated to stick to the material without primer. So you’ll only need to make sure the surface is clean and dry before getting to work.
A little paint can go a long way to add pizzazz to any space
Spray Paint
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Conventional spray paint works well for wicker, wood, and metal outdoor furniture. It’s great for plastic, too, as long as the spray paint you use is specifically formulated for use on plastic.
Spray paint is easy to use and inexpensive, so using it to paint your patio furniture is an excellent beginner DIY project. It dries relatively quickly, too, so the project won’t take you weeks. In just a few hours, you can give your entire outdoor space a chic makeover.
Spray painting metal outdoor furniture works very well. First, you’ll need to use a wire brush to scrub down the piece, removing any flaking paint and rust. Sand it with an electric sander or fine-grit sandpaper to really get the gunk off. Then, you can wipe it down and get to painting.
Spray paints come in a wide variety of colors and finishes, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from when you’re designing the patio of your dreams.
Outdoor Latex Paint
Exterior latex paint adheres to surfaces well and is resistant to mold and mildew. It’s also safe, as it doesn’t emit harmful chemicals when it dries. And it dries quickly, so applying two coats in one day (the standard if you want a long-lasting, solid color) is totally doable. Depending on how much you need to paint, your project could be done in a matter of hours.
Before latex paint was commonplace, experts advised DIYers not to paint in cold temperatures. With latex paint, that’s not a problem. Painting patio furniture in the winter? Go for it!
Latex paint is also eco-friendly and convenient to use. It’s a great choice for painting metal, wooden, and plastic patio sets.
