How to Paint a New Mahogany Porch Floor

Sand down splinters or imperfections with 150-grit aluminum oxide sandpaper. Paint doesn't erase surface blemishes, so you should take care of these before applying color to the surface.

Wipe off the sandpaper dust using a moist towel. You don't want to saturate the wood, just get the towel wet enough to remove the dust.

Apply painter's masking tape to any porch railings or other features that you want to protect from accidental brush strokes.

Coat the cut edges of the mahogany timber with green wood sealer and a synthetic-bristle paintbrush. "Green wood" refers to fresh-cut timber. Green wood sealers are available at many home improvement stores and they are used to prevent splitting ends on new pieces of lumber. Wait for the green wood sealer to dry before proceeding.

Prime the entire mahogany porch floor with stain-blocking primer. Reddish mahogany wood releases natural tannin oils as it ages. These oils discolor your paint if you don't use a stain-blocking primer. Synthetic-bristle brushes let you get into tight spaces and medium-nap rollers are ideal for main surfaces. Wait for the primer to dry.

Paint the mahogany porch floor using oil-base exterior paint. Natural-bristle paintbrushes are best for edge-work when using oil-base paints. Use a clean medium-nap roller on the rest of the porch surfaces.

Paint a second coat after the first coat dries.

Remove the painter's tape after 24 hours.