Which primer to choose for wood surfaces?

Wood is one of the most popular materials in construction and furniture production. Wood has a porous structure and easily absorbs liquids.

To protect the material from external negative influences, extend its service life and facilitate further processing with paints and varnishes, it is necessary to prime the surface. To know which primer to choose for wood surfaces, you need to study the information on this issue in more detail.

Priming wood is an important and necessary process before finishing the surface. The primer is able to endow the wood material with many necessary qualities for further use, as well as simplify the process of further surface treatment.

The main purpose of the special composition is as follows:

• Increasing the level of adhesion.
• Decreased absorbency of wood... With further surface treatment with varnish or paint, part of the mixture will penetrate into the wood fibers, which will increase the consumption of paints and varnishes. To make the finishing process less complicated and costly, the wood must be pre-primed.
• Decay protection... The antiseptic mixture protects lumber from insects, the formation and spread of fungus and mold, as well as other destructive factors.

• Strengthening the material... The priming solution penetrates deeply into the wood structure and prevents fiber breakdown.
• Moisture protection... Due to the special composition of the primer mixtures, after processing the wood, a film forms on its surface. It has moisture-repellent properties.
• Preventing color change paint and varnish material when applied. The colorant composition can be applied to the previous layer of paint, but this often leads to a color change, since the old coating can show through. The primer can act as a kind of separator and will not allow the colors to mix.
• NSinhibits the release of tannin... Tannin is a natural colorant found in wood. This substance can seep through the paintwork, forming stains on the surface. The primer fills the pores and prevents it from spreading.
• Burnout protection when exposed to direct sunlight.

Sometimes it is necessary to preserve the natural structure of the wood: in this case, it will be enough to treat the surface with a colorless impregnation. There are a number of cases in which the soil treatment process is simply necessary:

• Unheated rooms or rooms with high levels of humidity.
• Outdoor wooden structures. Such structures especially need protection from external influences (humidity, temperature changes, precipitation). These are fences, doors, stairs, windows, facade elements and so on.
• In case of contact of wooden products that are inside the room, with external walls.
• Before processing with paints and varnishes.
• Defects on the surface of the wood.

In the modern building materials market, there is a huge assortment of soils that differ in some features. The general classification of primers for wood is as follows:

• Application area... For outdoor or indoor use.
• Penetration depth into the wood structure... There are conventional film compositions and deep ones.
• The basis of the composition: polyurethane, water-based, alkyd, oil, casein.
• Consistency... Liquid impregnations or thick mastics.
• Mix color... The most common option is a clear primer.
• Main functions... Almost all primers are universal. In this case, it matters what this or that composition is most directed to: protection from moisture, preventing the appearance of fungus and mold, fire retardant function, etc.

All primers can be classified according to two criteria: composition and function. In terms of composition, the following types of primers are distinguished:

• Acrylic... They differ in their penetrating properties. The mixture is almost completely absorbed into the wood structure. Suitable for any type of paint and varnish material. The primer does not have an unpleasant odor and dries quickly (from one to four hours). White acrylic primer is excellent for surface treatment prior to plastering, decorative coatings and painting.
• Alkyd... The composition of the mixture is similar to the composition of alkyd paints. Available as a colorless and pigmented primer of this type. The mixture is applied before painting with alkyd enamels. Can be used as a release layer before painting an already painted surface. Drying time can be up to eighteen hours.
• Shellac... Well suited for coniferous trees, as they prevent the release of resins and neutralize their effect.

• Epoxy and polyurethane... Used before surface treatment with paints and varnishes.
• Silicone-acrylic... They are water-repellent. Stabilize the moisture level of wood and protect the surface from moisture.
• Oil... They are used before applying a new layer of paint to an already painted surface.
• Construction... After processing the wood, such a primer creates a protective film on the surface. The film prevents the processes of decay and destruction of wood.
• Drying oil... It is used for both exterior and interior work as a primer for oil paints. The drying oil protects the wood from moisture and prevents decay.
• Polyvinyl acetate... A special primer that is used before the application of polyvinyl acetate paint. The mixture contains latex and PVA, which improves adhesion. Drying time is usually thirty minutes.
• Liquid glass... A mixture of water glass is used to impart hydrophobic properties to wood.

The composition of soil mixtures may include special additives that improve certain functional properties of the impregnation. By functional purpose, the following primer mixtures are distinguished:

• Antiseptic... It prevents the formation and spread of mold and mildew, and also kills the existing harmful microorganisms in the wood. Suitable for impregnating wooden structures that are used in rooms with high humidity or outdoors.
• Water repellent... They prevent the penetration of moisture into the structure of the tree.
• Strengthening... These mixtures penetrate deeply into the wood fibers and make the material more durable. The hardening primer is used not only for wood processing, but also for all porous materials. This mixture can be used to treat a foam surface.
• Varnishing... Varnishing mixtures not only prime the surface, but also form a durable layer of varnish on it. This material is perfect for wood flooring.

When choosing a primer, it should be remembered that special compounds are produced for various types of finishing work. The use of a primer can be used for the following purposes:

• Coating under varnish or paint.
• Processing for putty.
• Application under plaster.
• For interior work.
• For outdoor use. For outdoor wooden structures, it is best to use a water-repellent primer.

The correct task will help you choose the right primer. Also worth taking into account are some helpful tips:

• for wood surfaces with low porosity, the mixtures that are most liquid in consistency should be used;
• colorless primers will help preserve the natural appearance of the tree and its structure;
• when buying, you should pay attention to such soil characteristics as permissible humidity and air temperature for work;
• pay attention to the drying time of the primer mixture;
• the antiseptic, which is part of the soil mixture, will protect the wood not only from mold and mildew, but also from insects.

Before making a choice in favor of one or another soil for wood, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the most famous manufacturers and reviews of their products. Among the most famous and well-established manufacturers of paints and varnishes, it is worth highlighting the company Tikkurila... The products of this company are of high quality and are in great demand.

Tikkurila primers include Euro Primer and Otex. Deep penetration primer "Euro Primer" is made on an acrylic base and is suitable for both outdoor and indoor use. The composition of the solution includes additives against fungal formations, which makes it possible to use the soil in rooms with high levels of humidity.

Reviews about the quality of "Euro Primer" are extremely positive. Among the advantages are the good absorbency of the mixture, versatility in use and low consumption. The disadvantages include the high cost of soil.

Tikkurila "Otex" is used for surface treatment before painting. Can be used as an intermediate primer - the primer is tinted in 2436 colors. Differs in fast drying (one hour under favorable conditions).

Primer "Otex" has only positive reviews. Consumers note that the paint fits perfectly on the surface treated with such a composition. Among the shortcomings, there is a high cost.

Another world famous manufacturer of quality materials is the company Pinotex... This company specializes in the production of wood protection products. Among the Pinotex primers, the Pinotex Base antiseptic is popular. Consumers highlight the excellent protective properties of the mixture against fungus and mold. Negative qualities include an unpleasant odor.

Company Triora specializes in water-soluble products and supplies high quality materials to the construction market at affordable prices. For wood processing, the company is ready to offer a water-based bioprotective agent. Buyers note the following properties of the primer: no unpleasant odor, fast absorption, short drying time, reliable protection.

The process of priming wood is quite simple, but you must first prepare the surface to be treated. If there are roughness and unevenness on the surface, you need to resort to grinding. After sanding, the wood should be treated with a cloth soaked in solvent to remove greasy stains and stubborn dirt.

In the case of cleaning the surface from paint, you must use a technical hairdryer.

After the surface is leveled, cleaned of dirt or old coating, the wood can be primed. Primer can be applied with a roller, paint brush or spray gun.Some manufacturers produce primer in spray cans - in this case, additional tools for application are not required. When priming, you should adhere to some rules:

• Work must be carried out at temperatures ranging from 5 to 30 degrees Celsius. At temperatures below five degrees, the drying time of the soil increases. At temperatures above 30 degrees, the mixture evaporates rather quickly, which will prevent good impregnation of the wood.
• It is recommended to apply the primer in several layers. This will allow the mixture to penetrate deeper into the wood structure.
• It is necessary to process chipboard and fiberboard with compositions that have the property of deep penetration.
• When processing wood with a water-repellent primer, do not skip areas on the surface.

How to prepare a primer for a wooden surface, see the next video.