Misconceptions about paint

Misconception: All paints are basically the same, so buy the cheapest

Truth: Don’t fall for this one. All paints have the same types of ingredients, but the quality and performance of those ingredients vary significantly. Better-quality paints have better resins and more of them, so the paint adheres better and lasts longer. They have higher-quality pigments that cover better and are less likely to fade. And they have additives that help you brush them out faster and smoother. All in all, the ingredients in higher-quality paints cost more, and you won’t find them in the cheaper paints.

Misconception: Oil primers are better than latex primers on bare wood

Truth: In general, both oil and latex primers work well on bare wood. But in some cases one works better than the other. An oil primer will work better than latex on new wood that has a “mill glaze,” that is, a polished surface caused by the planer during the smoothing process. You can usually spot the shine if you examine the wood closely (see above). Or sprinkle a little water on the surface. If it beads up rather than sinks in, choose an oil primer, since the wood will usually absorb it better than it does latex. If you want to use latex, first sand to dull the shine.

A latex primer will work better than oil to “spot prime” knots and pitch pockets (dried). Choose a special “stain blocking” type for this purpose. Once the spot priming dries, prime the entire surface with an oil or latex primer.

Misconception: Outdoors, oil stains are better than latex stains because they last longer

Truth: It depends on the surface. Oil stains generally penetrate wood better than latex stains and perform best on rough surfaces like rough-sawn wood and cedar shingles, which will soak up a lot of stain. Semitransparent oil stains excel here because you can apply several coats and achieve good wood protection without hiding the natural texture and grain. You can expect the stain to last from four to seven years. They’re easier to renew, too. You can simply power wash to clean and recoat.

However, latex stains (especially solid ones) excel on smooth wood surfaces. They won’t erode as quickly as oil stains.You can expect a solid latex stain on smooth, vertical wood to last four to six years. Keep in mind that no stain will last more than two to three years on horizontal surfaces that are exposed to the sun and rain.

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