How To Paint Bare Wood With Rustoleum Oil-Based Paint

Things Needed

  • Tack cloth

  • 2- to 4-inch oil-based paintbrush

  • Rustoleum oil-based primer

  • Mineral spirits

  • Rustoleum oil-based paint

Tip

Use a tinted Rustoleum primer if you plan to apply a dark color of oil-based paint. Use a white primer if you plan to apply a light color.

Warning

Do not wash a paintbrush manufactured for oil-based paints with water, or you will ruin it.

Do not use plain rags in place of a tack cloth, or you may leave behind dust that could interfere with adhesion.

Do not use a paintbrush manufactured for latex paints, or you will ruin the brush.

Never paint over raw, unprimed bare wood, or the finish will eventually chip away.

Do not use an acrylic latex primer in place of Rustoleum oil-based primer, or the paint will peel and flake over time.

If you would like to paint bare wood with Rustoleum oil-based paint, you will need to consider a pair of factors before you begin. First, because bare wood is unsuitable for paint adhesion, you must apply a primer to condition the wood to accept paint. In addition, since you plan to use an oil-based paint, you must choose a specific type of primer formulated to bond to oil-based coatings, or the finish will peel and flake over time.

Step 1

Wipe away sawdust and dirt from the raw wood using a tack cloth.

Step 2

Apply a coat of Rustoleum oil-based primer using a paintbrush manufactured for oil-based paints. Allow the primer to dry for three hours.

Step 3

Wash the paintbrush with mineral spirits.

Step 4

Apply a coat of Rustoleum oil-based paint to the primed wood using the cleaned paintbrush. Allow the wood to dry for two hours, and then apply an additional coat if you can see the primer showing through.

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