How knotty your wood is may guide you in deciding which types of primer and paint you use, as oil-based primers (like the paints) do a better job penetrating and sealing the wood and block tannins more effectively than water-based primers. While oil-based paint is less susceptible to tannin bleed-through, primer (which runs $16 to $25 per gallon) is still recommended under all paints to ensure an even foundation that will help you achieve a more uniform paint finish. So, choose one that matches the type of paint you’re using: stain-blocking latex primer for latex paint and stain-blocking oil-based primer for oil-based paints. Primer creates a barrier between wood and paint that prevents this tannin bleed-through. Whether you’re painting unfinished or painted wood, it’s essential to prime it before painting since tinted organic compounds in wood called tannins will otherwise bleed into any water-based paint applied on top- especially when painting over dark, tannin-rich woods like knotty pine. Pick a stain-blocking primer for your wood, no matter the project. Milk and chalk paint, which you can buy or DIY with good results, are naturally matte, so commercial cans of these paints don’t usually indicate a sheen. You can expect to pay one to two dollars more per gallon for every step up on the sheen spectrum. Traditional latex, alkyd-based, and plant-oil-based paint also come in a number of sheens-flat (matte), eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and high gloss, in order of lowest to highest luster. Water-based paint is sold at paint stores and home centers in traditional latex ($15 to $40 per gallon), milk ($15 to $25 per quart), or chalk varieties ($15 to $35 per quart), while oil-based paints are either alkyd-based (made with synthetic resins called alkyds $20 to $50 per gallon) or plant-oil-based (made with linseed or other plant oils $30 to $50 per quart). Get to know paint options and their sheens. So, read on to learn which of the most common types of paints and sheens on the market are best suited for your wood painting project. Ultimately, the best type of paint and sheen to use depends on the wooden surface you’re painting. But the myriad types of paint and sheen within these two categories can present you with a dizzying array of options at the paint store. What’s the best paint for wood-water- or oil-based? And what sheen do I want?Ī: Wood is adaptable enough to receive either water- or oil-based paint, as long as you coat it with primer beforehand. Q: A few wooden surfaces in my home interior could use painting.