A wonderful wooden gazebo is ideal for outdoor recreation and entertainment. But for it to last longer, wooden surfaces need to be processed. Suitable for this varnish and paint for outdoor use. In the article you will find information on how and what is better to paint the wooden floor on the street in the gazebo in the country.

Processing Tools

Like most exterior wooden surfaces, the gazebo will deteriorate if not protected.

UV rays and moisture can cause:

• wood cracking;
• split;
• the acquisition of wood gray shade in a short time.

Therefore, if you still have not painted the arbor, be sure to do it. But before painting, it is important to get a clean and unpolluted surface. Use a cleaner or stain remover for this. They are upholstered for room furniture, such as Emsal and more aggressive like Maxi DK 250.

If the first is for wooden furniture, the second removes stains from any surfaces, including concrete, metal and wood. Apply it where there is a stain and follow the directions on the product label. Use a stiff brush to remove dirt and gray areas of wood.

Important! Rinse the clean floor again with ordinary household bleach. This will lighten the wood and enhance its natural beauty, and then let the gazebo dry for several days.

Types of floor coverings for gazebos

Coverage may be:

• transparent
• opaque.

The first group includes varnishes. They emphasize the natural attractiveness of the tree. There are formulations to which coloring pigment has been added. Accordingly, they will update the surface while giving it a darker shade. In addition to varnishes, various impregnations and stains are available for sale. They not only refresh the surface, but also create a protective coating that prevents various fungi and mold from getting inside the wood.

The second group includes paints. With their help, you can give a new look to the aged wood coating. They are designed to hide flaws: cracks, darkened areas that cannot be cleaned. To paint the gazebo, select those paints that have the mark "for outdoor use".

Both paints and varnishes protect the wood from moisture, ultraviolet radiation and temperature changes. But the varnish gives a thinner coating, through which the texture of the tree shines through. And the paint forms a uniform monophonic layer, which can be characterized by a different degree of gloss and has a more diverse color scheme. But varnishes are easier to maintain. You can tint a separate area at any time or slightly change the color by applying a varnish of a different shade.

To preserve the natural color

Varnishes help preserve the natural structure of the tree. Of course, they do not have so many shades, but this is enough to give the unpainted surface a new look.

On sale you can find varnishes of various types:

1. Acrylic - It is a quick-drying and non-toxic water-based product. It is characterized by resistance to ultraviolet radiation and can be used both for outdoor and indoor use. It is combined not only with wood, but also with other textures. It is the most versatile of all varnishes.
2. Polyurethane Is a substance that is used to paint floors or areas subject to constant mechanical abrasion. It is more durable, but does not penetrate the wood, so a primer should be used under them. Resistant to acids, alkalis and other chemically active substances.
3. Spar (yacht) - Designed for use on wooden surfaces of boats and ships. Its main goal is to prevent wood from contacting water. It is very flexible, so it does not crack.
4. Alkyd - These are modified natural or vegetable oils. They are characterized by resistance to abrasion and temperature changes, slow down the aging of wood.
5. Epoxy - a product that is suitable for almost all types of work. Resistant to abrasion and well resists mechanical damage.

Primers

Primer is a special type of paint that is applied before the finish. It is the base on which a non-absorbent agent, such as polyurethane varnish or paint, is applied. The primer provides a uniform texture (slightly roughened) so that the paint is well coated on the structure. Also prevents stains under the coating and helps level the surface.

Primers for interior and exterior surfaces have been developed. Internal seal the surface and create a uniform texture.

Important! When working on painted surfaces, priming is mandatory if you use different types of paint. For example, latex is applied over oil.

You can divide them all into 3 main groups:

• oil;
• latex;
• pigmented shellac.

Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Oil has been the industry standard for decades. They prevent stains from shining through new layers of paint, and they also prevent or slow down peeling of paint, cracking and blistering. Their disadvantage is that when dried, they emit too many volatile organic compounds harmful to humans.

Water-based latex primers are more flexible, dry quickly and are less brittle than the previous group. They are good for soft types of wood, brick, concrete and galvanized metals. Shellac has a long history of use as a wood compactor and is suitable for interior use. It copes well with stains and prevents the appearance of new ones on the treated surface. The application of a primer is carried out almost in the same way as paint.

Did you know? Coloring pigments are made from minerals, raw materials of plant origin, and even from snail mucus.

Knowing a few tricks will help you ideally apply it:

1. Thoroughly clean the work surface before starting work.
2. Fill all holes and damage with putty.
3. Scrape off peeling paint using a spatula.
4. Sand bumps with sandpaper.
5. Clean the surface of dust.
6. Apply a primer moving from window to door. Distribute the product evenly with horizontal movements until the entire surface is covered.
7. Use synthetic brushes for application. Natural brushes are only suitable for use with oil primers.
8. Apply paint only after drying of the previous layer. See the packaging for drying time.

Lucky

Varnish is a protective film that combines the functions of protection and aesthetics. In its chemical essence, it is the same paint, but without coloring pigment.

It consists of 3 components:

• oil, which hardens in air and forms a protective coating on wood;
• resin - a component that provides strength;
• solvent - a product that dilutes oils and resins and allows easy and quick application of varnish.

Varnishes can be transparent or translucent, with a glossy sheen or matte. But for everyone, the application technique will be as follows:

1. Make sure the surface is well washed and the wood has dried afterwards. Remember that the varnish will emphasize, but not hide, the flaws in the form of unwanted spots and bumps.
2. Any cracks should be pre-cleaned with sandpaper or using regular sanding.
3. Varnish itself is a primer. Therefore, it does not require additional coverage. An exception is the application of polyurethane varnish.
4. The varnish must be rubbed into the wood structure with a lint-free cloth.
5. After applying the first layer and drying it, you need to lightly wipe it with the same piece of clean cloth, and then apply the second layer.
6. Unlike paint, varnish is designed to be absorbed. Therefore, a short-haired roller will provide a smoother coating than when painting with a brush.

When choosing a varnish, pay attention to the instructions on the can. The composition for internal work should not be used outside and vice versa.

Color coatings

There are several different types of paint that can be used to color wood. Knowing their features will help you choose the one that is suitable for a particular situation:

1. Many people choose oil paint because of its durability. It creates a smooth surface with a good matte or glossy finish.
2. It is much easier to work with latex paint, and it dries much faster. But simplicity leads to reduced durability. And the fact that it is applied too thinly can cause the previous coating and its defects to shine through the layer.
3. Water based paints dry very quickly. They are not subject to cracking and fading.
4. Acrylic paint is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It is available in a wide range of colors that can be mixed to create new shades.

Did you know? According to archaeologists, the oldest paint for painting was obtained from milk and lime.

Color selection

The range of modern paint manufacturing companies has many shades that allow you to create unusual and attractive gazebos.

The most bought after brown are the following colors:

1. Green - it gives the surface a pleasant, natural, relaxing look. Soothes and mixes well with the surrounding green spaces.
2. Shining blue is also popular. So the arbor at the reservoir can be painted.
3. The shade of gray wood has gained its fans. The structure may be smoky gray or dark gray, but it will look equally noble.

Rules for painting and processing the floor

The arbor floor boards must withstand constant mechanical stress. That means he will need a more stable type of paint. It can be acrylic, latex or another, of your choice. If this is your first time painting an arbor, make sure the wood is dry. Permissible humidity should not exceed 20%. If it rains or for another reason the tree is saturated with moisture, then you need to wait a couple of weeks until it dries completely.

Did you know? The first varnishes were developed by the ancient Egyptians and combined an organic dye with an inorganic mineral base. The result is a stable insoluble compound.

Check the wooden surface and remove anything that can stick out of it: a nail, a metal bracket, a chipped edge. Chips must be cleaned before further processing. Then you need to apply a primer and proceed to staining. During application, it is important to uniformly coat the material. Leaving a thicker layer in one place causes a disproportionate hue and looks messy. If you put too thick a smear - even it out. Leave to dry for 24–72 hours, depending on the type of paint. Drying speed is also affected by air temperature.

Several different methods are available for painting wood. Therefore, before deciding what is suitable for your gazebo, study the information on varnishes and paints, evaluate their capabilities and make a choice. Properly selected products will help preserve the aesthetic appearance of the surface and protect the floor from environmental influences.