Paint recommendation for PT lumber

[BK777]

Background -- we had our covered pressure treated deck painted around 2017. This included both the framing which was unpainted as I recall and the decking which was actually painted with an unknown paint. They used SW SuperDecks and matched the grey color to the house, so it it was a solid/opaque color.

This has actually held up pretty well. Some of the more exposed decking is starting to peel. More urgently, I recently built a couple lean to sheds (also PT lumber). One of them is already showing quite a bit wear at the rim joist which has a lot of direct sun exposure.

I was thinking about getting some more SuperDecks to touch up the deck and cover the rim joists of these sheds. I just want some protection up there and don't want to clad over it for several reasons. Problem is, I'm hearing the SuperDecks product has changed and now royally *****. Poor color match and picks up stains very easily from leaves, pets, etc.

So I'm wondering if you can recommend an alternative paint product that can be color matched and is appropriate for treated lumber.

 

[Zeke]

For seasoned PT a good sealer/primer is a good start. I said "good' not Kilz. Over that you can use just about anything from a solid color stain (you may be able to use that directly on the advice of a professional paint supply), to regular exterior paints.

I have no advice for those that buy paint at a box store. While some of their paint may be of adequate quality, their advice is nil.

 

[dogdog]

use those stains like UV flood ? last time I did for my parent's deck was about 8 years ago. pressure wash let , dry and stain over it. lasted quite some time. still fades after a while on the area that doesn't get too much sun or the area that gets way too much sun.

Flood 1 gal. Clear CWF-UV Exterior Wood Finish FLD542-01 - The Home Depot

Protect and beautify outdoor wood surfaces with this Flood Clear CWF-UV Oil Based Exterior Wood Finish. Provides superior protection.

www.homedepot.com

they were 1/2 of the current price (it was about $18 out the door). plus in some state like mine, charges on top of that a recycling fee... WTF.

 

[BK777]

For seasoned PT a good sealer/primer is a good start. I said "good' not Kilz. Over that you can use just about anything from a solid color stain (you may be able to use that directly on the advice of a professional paint supply), to regular exterior paints.

I have no advice for those that buy paint at a box store. While some of their paint may be of adequate quality, their advice is nil.

I always thought Kilz was pretty good, compared to Behr or Glidden but obviously I'm not an expert. What would you consider a good sealer/primer? SW is more of a small box store but they're not what they once were, apparently.

Honestly I prefer this solution because I already have the exterior paint I would need. Of course it's SuperPaint...

 

[nadogail]

I have seen Sherwin Williams ads telling me that Home Depot sells their products.

I still go to the store that I bought my paint from when I started my Handy Man business. Their primary customers are painting contractors.

 

[jrsavoie]

For seasoned PT a good sealer/primer is a good start. I said "good' not Kilz. Over that you can use just about anything from a solid color stain (you may be able to use that directly on the advice of a professional paint supply), to regular exterior paints.

I have no advice for those that buy paint at a box store. While some of their paint may be of adequate quality, their advice is nil.

Product recommendations would be nice.

Most box stores - except that Home Depot that has the retired paint store owner working for them. I'm guessing for insurance.

 

[Zeke]

"Original" Kilz was good for what it was intended for, killing stains from smoke, sap and mold. Unfortunately, people started slapping that stuff on everything because of the fast dry, paint same day idea (which is wrong from the start). And that's all Kilz made when I was a painting contractor before I became a general. Most paints didn't adhere well to Kilz, so there were a lot of failures due to ignorance. It wouldn't work outside or even on an interior window sill. In a bath where moisture is a factor, again failure.

The reason why was (is) that the original Kilz still sold dries to a sheen, therefore preventing top coats from properly binding. So I stayed away from the product and my main paint store supply stopped selling it because of the widespread failures. I see Kilz makes a line of products now, so they may have improved. There is such a bad taste in my mouth that I can't come round to testing any of their stuff.

I hired a painter that I didn't supervise to paint a new wood bay window I installed. He primed it with Kilz and the paint lasted about a month. I had to go back and strip the window, reprime it with the correct exterior primer and paint it the next day. I not only lost the money I paid this guy, I lost 2 days of my time that I didn't get paid for. That window cost me $1000 and a soured relationship with the customer.

Zinser seemed much better, and has some great products. As I've discussed before, there is sealer, primer and undercoat, all first coat applications. Very few people can distinguish what each is for. So I tell them to go to a real paint store for advice. I buy branded first coat products in line with the brand of paint I intend to use.

Now it might be true that a lot of painters go to HD for paint. It is also true that a lot of painters I see around don't know anything about paints and have never read a spec sheet in their life. They probably don't know that paint manufactures have spec sheets that tell how and when to use their various products. Like thinning, temperatures/humidity and recoat times. These specs come in folders, not some brief description on the label in 2 languages.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

As Z pointed out- It's not the paint that's the issue; it's the primer/sealer.

There are arguments to latex or oil-based- which can be fair arguments depending on the wood. What I mean by that is- is it KDAT or other type(s) of PT. But, most importantly is the dryness of the lumber before painting, and the surface prep.

I've used Zinsser Cover Stain for years with good results. But I also used a latex product (Behr Multi-Surface sealer) with satisfactory results (used on a rail fence, and privacy fence- so not something that needs a lot prep/sanding/etc. Then I used a regular exterior grade paint over these sealer/primers. Some paints have been matte/flat, and others a semi-gloss.