What Happens If You Paint Pressure-Treated Wood Too Early

If you paint pressure-treated wood too early, it can lead to some very unpleasant consequences.

The paint will peel off

If you paint pressure-treated wood too early, the paint will most likely peel off. This is because of the chemicals in the wood that have not had time to dry out completely. The chemicals in pressure-treated wood are very strong and will bond with any paint applied to them. This can cause paint to crack or flake off if it is not allowed to fully dry before being painted.

It could cause mold growth on your deck

Pressure-treated wood contains a chemical called creosote. This is known to cause mold growth when exposed to moisture for extended periods of time. If you paint pressure-treated wood too early or without allowing enough time between coats for drying, this can cause mold growth underneath your paint coating. This can make it difficult or impossible for you to get rid of once it begins spreading underneath your layers of protective coatings.

You’ll have trouble getting a good finish on your project

Paint tends to stick better when applied over dryer surfaces. So, if your lumber isn’t completely dry yet then there may be spots where your finish doesn’t look as glossy or smooth as you’d like.

When is pressure-treated wood ready for painting?

Pressure-treated wood is ready for painting when it is dry to the touch. It will take about seven days for the wood to dry enough for painting. So you may want to check the wood every day to see how much longer it will take.

Once it has dried, you can paint your pressure-treated wood with any type of paint that is suitable for exterior use. You can use oil-based paints or water-based paints with no problems at all.

You should not paint pressure-treated wood while it’s still wet. Because they are very absorbent, they could trap too much moisture on the surface of the board and cause more problems than they solve.

How long does it take to paint pressure-treated wood?

It can take anywhere from two to three months for pressure-treated wood to dry, depending on the temperature and humidity where you’re storing it. But there are ways to speed up the process!

First, make sure that you’re storing your pressure-treated wood in a dry area with good air circulation. If you want to expedite the drying process, try placing the wood in a garage or other outbuilding that has an exhaust fan that vents outside.

After your wood has been cut and dried, you’ll want to lightly sand it with 80-grit sandpaper. Then apply a primer coat of paint and let it dry for at least 24 hours before applying paint coats.

If possible, store your painted pressure-treated wood in a heated environment where temperatures stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This could mean an unheated garage or shed. If your storage area is too cold, condensation will form and trap moisture inside the wood; this will slow down drying time even more!

Conclusion

So, what happens if you paint pressure-treated wood too early?

Pressure-treated wood is safe to paint after two to three months. In fact, the wood will last longer if you wait to paint it until after that time period. If you paint pressure-treated wood too early, it could lead to paint failure and other problems.

It’s important to wait until the wood is completely dry before painting it. Pressure-treated wood can take up to three months or more for all of the moisture in it to be gone. So you want to make sure that it’s completely dry before applying any type of coating. If you try to apply a coating too early, then it could peel off prematurely or become damaged and discolored by water seeping through the surface while it’s still wet.

So, this is the end of the “what happens if you paint pressure-treated wood too early”