Is it recommended to paint OSB?

[ole442]

I have finished walls inside with the slick side of the OSB inward. Is it recommended to paint OSB? If not, that's OK......I just thought about painting it in the future. I sure don't want to create an issue with peeling of the paint.

 

[fourbyford]

When I built one of my shops... in 1997, I painted the OSB interior walls. Never had a problem. Only difference is that I installed my OSB with the "rough" side out. I like the texture. I also used cheap latex caulk to fill the seams and screw holes. Most people going into my shop dont even realize it's OSB.

...D

 

[ole442]

I am just worried that latex paint on the smooth side may peel over time. I sure as heck don't want to have to sand the whole place down remove the slick side finish before painting with a good latex paint. When in doubt, I won't. Just hoping to hear of members experiences before I decide. Your experience give me some hope initially.

 

[didit]

I prefer the look painting the backside as well. It will use a bit more paint but gives excellent adhesion. Use a primer coat if worried about peeling. In extreme problem areas we used white shellac before painting but that gets expensive.

 

[kd3pc]

either way is fine, if you do paint it, be ready - it will soak up paint. Looks good and easy to touch up when needed.

 

[gmwelder86]

Just painted a few sheets in my garage. Used kilz2 since that’s what I had at the time. Most people recommend using oil based primer. After a coat of kilz I put on two coats of Behr satin and it came out pretty good.

 

[RivennHewn]

Lipstick on a pig.

Still looks like OSB

 

[travisn1]

The walls with windows are OSB. Everything is painted 2 coats of kilz grey primer then 2 coats of some other grey paint.

 

[NUTTSGT]

No problem painting it. I'd recommend two coats of Kilz oil based primer followed by your choice of latex paint in your flavor of color.

 

[rburke65]

**** up paint like a sponge. This is why I liked the pre primer, Smart Panel from Georgia Pacific. Screw it down....in case you have to gain access to stud cavity later.....paint it ...once...if you like. Ya don’t have to paint it 2...3....4 times.

 

[misterpister]

If you do decide to prime and paint the OSB, I found the easiest and quickest way to do it is to:

- lay the board flat outside on some bricks so it's off of the ground by a few inches.
- take your can of primer or paint and pour directly onto the board in a zig zag pattern.
- roll it out with your paint roller.
- let it dry as is.

 

[Fueler]

I painted the smooth side. No problem.

 

[MushCreek]

Lipstick on a pig.

Still looks like OSB

But it brightens it up considerably. I had a shop with concrete block walls. Painting them white made a huge difference. Still lipstick on a pig, but if a pig is all you have, might as well make 'er look pretty!

 

[Specracer]

I have some I painted. I sprayed it. Looks way better (to me). And as mentioned, brightens things substantially.

 

[NUTTSGT]

But it brightens it up considerably. I had a shop with concrete block walls. Painting them white made a huge difference. Still lipstick on a pig, but if a pig is all you have, might as well make 'er look pretty!

Lipstick or not, that pig will still make Bacon.

 

[OptionalStop]

Lots of pig talk. I painted my OSB walls after they were up with two coats of Kiltz original oil base primer and was done with it. Came out fine I wasn't looking for a kitchen quality paint job, it's a shop. But I did use some Durabond & cheap caulk to fill screw holes and small gaps. Plus my walls will be filled up with stuff in time.

 

[mmb617]

I've had sheds with latex painted OSB as siding and it held up pretty well considering it was in the weather. Inside I can't see how there would be a problem. It does **** up a lot of paint.

 

[Notgrownup]

I painted mine with Zinser sealer paint. 1 coat and installed it on the walls and ceilings.

 

[nadogail]

Used shellac based white primer on the smooth side then laid the OSB, paint side down over the chords of the trusses in the garage. That was maybe 20 yeas ago. still looks good.

 

[Craig Balzer]

I just did this. I had the OSB hung with the smooth facing out.

I attached photos from my hobby shop taken just a month back. The title of each photo gives details:

 

[NUTTSGT]

Lots of pig talk. I painted my OSB walls after they were up with two coats of Kiltz original oil base primer and was done with it. Came out fine I wasn't looking for a kitchen quality paint job, it's a shop. But I did use some Durabond & cheap caulk to fill screw holes and small gaps. Plus my walls will be filled up with stuff in time.

You probably won't notice because it will happen slowly over time but that bare oil based Kilz will yellow.

I found out the hard way and had to take things down to repaint it with regular paint.

 

[PassnThru]

Lipstick on a pig.

Still looks like OSB

That's really only a problem if your garage is your arts and crafts studio.

Paint the smoother side with a good primer - Kiltz is good even in the latex version. No real need for an oil primer here - there are no knots in OSB. If you roll it on, use a deeper nap roller cover - 1/2 inch plus.
Then stand back and enjoy the character that your garage walls have.
Perfectly smooth is a lot of work to accomplish - sometimes a completely random application of imperfections and a textured surface can actually be aesthetically appealing.

 

[Hot shot]

I HAD to use 2 coats of kilz oil base primer to cover up all the black ink Home Depot puts on their sheets. Then 1 coat of latex

 

[PassnThru]

I HAD to use 2 coats of kilz oil base primer to cover up all the black ink Home Depot puts on their sheets. Then 1 coat of latex

The selling point for oil based Kiltz is that it will seal knots in wood. A latex primer does not do that well. Painting over a knot and keeping it from bleeding through the paint later is a well known problem.
That has nothing to do with the printing on the sheet which will be sealed by even the cheapest latex based primer.

 

[ole442]

Still trying to decide whether to prime or not to prime? I have a really good Sherwin Williams latex paint that I plan on using when I'm ready to paint.

 

[Dominico]

Zinsser 1-2-3 Bullseye Interior/Exterior Primer & Olympic latex semigloss paint (water base primer and paint). Six years and it has held up very well!

 

[santagary]

I screwed down osb horizontally then white pegboard the rest of the way over the insulation...good utility (hang things), and looks good too. My 2 cents.

 

[mjchamp]

I don't like the look of painted OSB either. So I used 2 coats of block filler after the primer It made the wall looks much smoother.

 

[ole442]

I think I'll hold off on the paint until next year. I have 3/4 of the insulation, 2/3 of the ceiling and all the walls done. I figure that I can always paint it but can't go back once I do. Still trying to decide what to do if I do decide to paint.....decisions.

 

[bwringer]

Hey, has anyone mentioned yet that you should prime then paint?

Still trying to decide whether to prime or not to prime? I have a really good Sherwin Williams latex paint that I plan on using when I'm ready to paint.

Some latex paint claims to be a primer and paint all in one. The stuff I've used works fine on stuff like repainting a living room or kitchen. Two coats and you're good.

But honestly, bare OSB is a very different sort of surface, so I'd throw down at least one coat of a good dedicated primer. Even with stuff like Killz, note that a lot of folks here report laying down two coats of primer before painting.


And yeah, you'll want to embrace the texture. It's never going to look like perfectly smooth seamless drywall, and that's perfectly OK. No one's going to point and laugh, honest.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I don't like the look of painted OSB either. So I used 2 coats of block filler after the primer It made the wall looks much smoother.

That stuff hard to mix up ? Alot of solids in it ?

 

[GRivera]

Zinsser 1-2-3 Bullseye Interior/Exterior Primer & Olympic latex semigloss paint (water base primer and paint). Six years and it has held up very well!

That garage looks awesome - very much the look I'm going for. What is your wall/veiling height?

BTW- nice 69!

 

[nadogail]

If it going to be exposed to moisture, Absolutely, I would paint it.

 

[andyvh1959]

WOW! That garage with the Camaro looks great with panted OSB. I don't have any concerns now that I decided to use OSB on my new shap garage walls. I'll paint it in a similar manner.

To bad Rustoleum Hammer paint is so expensive, I bet it would look great on the lower half of a painted white over grey wall.

 

[ole442]

Well, the wife talked me into painting the walls this year. The Sherwin Williams paint I bought is also a paint/primer so it looks like I'll caulk the seams and then do two coats. Thanks for all the replies.

OLE442

 

[mikec35]

I have 2 buildings with OSB, one with it on the walls and one with it on the ceiling. I primed with Kilz and used exterior bright white gloss paint. I'm happy with the way it turned out. It really does **** up the first couple of coats of primer, plan for more than you think you need. It can be made to look very nice.

This one has OSB on the walls:


This one has OSB on the ceiling, plywood on the walls:

 

[mikec35]

Well, the wife talked me into painting the walls this year. The Sherwin Williams paint I bought is also a paint/primer so it looks like I'll caulk the seams and then do two coats. Thanks for all the replies.

OLE442

You should use an oil based primer or an oil based paint and primer (if they make an oil based combo.) I wouldn't use latex as the first/base coat.

 

[SkeeterZX200]

I just hung and painted mine a few months ago.

OSB with 2 coats of Behr premium plus

 

[Dominico]

That garage looks awesome - very much the look I'm going for. What is your wall/veiling height? BTW- nice 69!

WOW! That garage with the Camaro looks great with panted OSB. I don't have any concerns now that I decided to use OSB on my new shap garage walls. I'll paint it in a similar manner. To bad Rustoleum Hammer paint is so expensive, I bet it would look great on the lower half of a painted white over grey wall.

Thank you for the complements on the garage and my ole 69 Camaro. The wall/ceiling height is standard 8'. BTW ceiling is OSB as well. Good luck if you decide to do your's. Like I said it works for me and it has held up extremely well!

 

[ole442]

Almost done with 2 coats of Sherwin Williams Showcase Stain Blocking Paint & Primer. Looks nice with a little bit of bleed through in some small areas. I hit them again with a brush and that pretty much takes care of it. Photos when completely done!