We built this Jamaica Cottage Shops kitJamaica Cottage Shops kit with some slight modifications and are almost ready to put on the roof, door, and windows (along with some plexiglass over the windows to bring in more light). This would be a good time to paint or stain it.
What is the best paint or stain? I was thinking painting it with yellow oil paint with green trim, but am concerned that having a water tight outer seal but moisture inside from the plants will lead to mold. Perhaps we should use a deck stain like Ready Seal? The wood is pine and hemlock; the weather is northeastern US which means snow in the winter, rain and up to 100 degree weather in the summer. We'll be draping a cloth cover over it in summer.
by Glum_Novel_6204
3 Comments
Painting an actual color is not your best choice. It will start to check and peel fairly rapidly.
What I did on mine was a simple “water seal” product. Thompson, Olympic, etc.
Every thing was sealed including the benches and shelves.
Easy to replenish over time.
Hope this helps
I can’t speak to others, but the Thompson Water Seal absorbs into the wood. It won’t leave a film.
I’m a professional painter. If you want colors I recommend what’s called a “solid stain” meaning it has color but soaks into the wood as stains do. This will last longer than a paint and doesn’t peel like paint eventually does. A deck stain product should be fine. If you have a Dulux paint store near you I could recommend an exact product.
I hate oil based products for health and environmental reasons. The latest are “hybrids” which have less fumes and easier to clean up from without harsh chemicals.