Tips for Painting Woodwork:

If you have decided that you want to paint your wood work, (doors, base boards, windows, etc.), First of all, if your woodwork is already painted, it’s just a matter of painting over it, making sure that you’ve removed any areas that may be peeling or flaking. In most of these cases, repainting is just a way to refresh and clean up the wood. A lot of people have been painting all of their stained woodwork because “white woodwork” is the modern look. In this case, there is a bit more to do. First of all, it is a good idea to lightly sand or scuff the wood first. First of all, it is a good idea to lightly sand or scuff the wood first.

You can use “fine” sandpaper or I like to use sanding sponges. Ask your local paint pro for details. Then you need to prime the wood with a good bonding primer. This is one of those cases where an oil primer will work best. After you have primed the wood, you will see places where caulk is needed, usually between the shoe molding and the baseboard, the recessed panels of a door, door jams, and window casings. If you wait until after you prime, these areas will stand out much better. If you use an oil primer, you will probably need to wait a few hours before caulking. If you use a latex primer, it will dry much quicker.

Note:

When priming over stained woodwork, you’ll probably be priming over a lacquer finish or polyurethane. This is why sanding is very important and oil primer is recommended. Some latex primers might be OK here, but oil is the best path to take. Once you’re woodwork is primed and caulked, you can now apply your paint. You can use latex paint, if you wish, a good enamel is best. Enamel dries harder and will be more durable. Always apply two coats. Also, semi-gloss is the sheen of choice for woodwork, these days. High-gloss isn’t as popular any more, and even though I’ve used a satin finish on wood a few times, most people choose semi-gloss.