Opinions on primers??

[rambo]

Hi guys,

Before applying a stain to a wood deck surface, would I have to first put a primer on the surface, then apply the stain?

how about priming before applying a semi-trans?

Is priming necessary and is it effective to the duration of a stain in the long run?

thanks for your time,
Ramie

 

[Dale Walkowsk]

Rambo..primers only make sense for solids....for those they can make alot of sense..but remember that you'll be doing the deck twice..and coverage is a bit harder...so if you use a primer for a solid price it right

 

[onecallpowerw]

You should only have to use a primer for white only. Such as a two tone deck for example. Most of your solid color decking stains are ok with one coat. Also, on your two tone decks, use a white oil base acrylic vs. and outdoor deck stain solid. Hope this helps.

Yes, Paint for railings (white) vs. deck stain.

 

[Dale Walkowsk]

Onecall...oil based acrylic ?...do you mean paint instead of stain? I agree thats the way to go for durability, but it'll hide the grain more than a solid stain....waterborne acrylics are great products . The primers make sense for solid colors on bare cedar or redwood because of the possibility of tannin stains showing thru light colors if using the waterbornes. Even though they're formulated using modified oils, the solvent is still water so theres a chance of tannin or water staining. If you're putting a solid on the floor and its either new wood or peeling in alot of spots I'd do a full prime with a product like Cabots Problem Solver primer for decks

 

[rambo]

hey guys,

thanks for your responses!
Ramie Sliuzas

 

[Aplus]

I do not use primers, and I've done more two tone decks than I care to remember.

It would add too much labor costs and make some jobs less affordable.