I want to paint my brown wooden shed white.

[Bottomchops]

Can anyone advise me what I need to do? Will it work?

[PigletJohn]

has it been treated with waxy shed and fence stain? How long ago?

If you throw a mug of water at it, does it soak into the wood and wet it, or run off in droplets?

Have you got a jetwasher?

[MargotLovedTom]

I painted our previously brown (non waxy) stained shed with Cuprinol Garden Shades. Came out great. I didn't do any prep which is probably a huge sin; just slapped it on .

[BlueCowWonders]

Not shed, but I've just painted tables, chairs and benches just as M loves T said above. Wouldn't please a purist but I love it! It makes such a massive difference.

[WhimsicalWinnifred]

I have painted my black oak woodwork white.

Power sander
thick wood paint
sorted

[eurochick]

We did the same as Margot. The shed is great. The Wendy house has some brown leaching through the paint a year on but doesn't look too bad.

[PigletJohn]

if it does have waxy shed and fence treatment, a jet washer will get it off, but it will also roughen the surface and raise the grain.

I don't know if Garden Shades will do it, but they have a Help Desk. Waxy stain is not good to try and paint.

[Bottomchops]

Wow thanks for the responses! It's got something on it, looks like a varnish maybe. We've got a jet washer. So I just clean it, rub it down and paint?

I also want to do it to a brick out building. Do I just wash down the bricks and then use masonry paint when dry?

[Bottomchops]

We've been here 5 years and haven't touched the shed yet so couldn't be sure. It's really hard to find white exterior paint that doesn't cost the earth. Found cheap masonry paint at b&m.

[PigletJohn]

Let's hope it isn't really varnish, which is a bad surface to paint. It would be shiny with tiny cracks, flaking off where weathered, with black marks where water has got under the film.

[PigletJohn]

Masonry paint, clean the wall, especially any mould or lichen (bleach will kill it but will not cure the source of damp), repair any cracks or bad pointing with mortar, fix ther guttering and downpipes, apply one of preferably two mist coats thinned with water using a brush (they will soak in and disappear) then a couple of unthinned coats. The cheapest value brands are not much good. To save money, look out for 15litre tubs or BOGOFFs, especially just before bank holidays. Wickes own brand is fair value.

You must stir it ten times as much as you consider necessary. There is a mixing tool that fits in a cordless drill, very good for redecorating your clothes.

[PigletJohn]

(Masonry paint is for walls, very doubtful it will last on wood, which expands and contracts with the weather).