If you are repainting a wood surface, your first chore is to prep the surface. New paint will not stick to dirt or peeling paint. On large surfaces the quickest way to clean the old wood painted surface is to pressure wash it. You will need to use a washer that can generate at least 2500 psi to remove the remove dirt, mold and loose paint. Exercise care when pressure washing. Holding the nozzle too close can damage the wood.
If you clean the surface of the wood with detergent or bleach, be sure to rinse it to wash off the residue. After washing, wait a day for the wood to dry.
The next step is to apply two coats of primer with a product such as XIM Peel Bond® or Zinsser® Peel Stop®. Both are Rust-Oleum® products.
● Penetrates into wood for excellent anchorage.
● Seals a wide range of construction surfaces.
● Bonds paint to the substrate remaining flexible over the life of the paint.
● Helps reduce cracking and peeling.
On a large flat surface a fast way to apply the primer is with an airless sprayer or roller. On rough or irregular surfaces you may need to paint the primer with a brush to ensure complete coverage. On really rough surfaces, you may need a thick coating.
Test, Don’t Guess
After priming, apply two finish coats of a compatible paint recommended by the manufacturer. To ensure compatibility between primer and paint it is always best to “Test, Don’t Guess”. Apply a small spot of primer and paint to the substrate and test for good adhesion. After the paint has dried for at least a day, try to scrape it off with your thumb nail. If you are repainting a surface, XIM Peel Bond may not adhere to an oil-based paint.
For priming materials other than wood and plywood, XIM Peel Bond is often a good choice for porous surfaces such as stucco, brick, concrete, hardboard (Masonite), as well as for aluminum and galvanized metal. Zinsser Peel Stop is often used on surfaces which exhibit cracking or chalking.
● Coats right over worn surfaces and peeling paint.
● Water-base, low-VOC primer-sealer.
● For interior and exterior applications.
● Provides outstanding flexibility.
● Dries fast.
● Hides peeling, weathered surfaces.
● Creates a smooth, white finish for your top coat.
About XIM UMA Primer Sealer
● Excellent adhesion to non-porous “Hard-to-Paint” surfaces
● Bonding primer for painting vinyl, aluminum, galvanized metal.
● Resists wrinkling, blistering or cracking caused by moisture.
● Cures in low temperatures and high humidity.
● Interior or exterior use.
● Low odor/low VOC.
● Accepts all top coats.
XIM primers have been popular among experienced sign painters. In addition to primers for porous surfaces, Rust-Oleum also manufactures XIM UMA primer sealer for non-porous surfaces, which can be difficult to stick to. UMA is a perfect sealer for bonding top coats to porcelain, ceramic, Formica, fiberglass, aluminum and galvanized steel. Veteran sign painter, Joe Balabuszko, told me that in years past the old sign painters would use XIM UMA to prime the porcelain signs that they were repainting.
