How to Finish Exterior Wood

Apply a coat of water-repellent sealant to the wood using a brush. The sealant helps protect the wood from excessive moisture that leads to mildew and mold. Sealer also keeps the wood from shrinking and swelling when wet.

Allow the wood to dry over a period of several sunny days.

Brush on a coat of primer to prepare the wood for the paint or stain. Redwood and cedar require oil-based or alkyd-based primers. Apply enough primer to obscure the wood grain. If you spread the primer uniformly and at the proper thickness, you can prevent problems with the paint or stain you use.

Paint a coat of acrylic latex house paint or stain on the primed wood. Let the paint dry over a period of a few days.

Brush on a second coat of acrylic latex house paint or stain over the top of the first coat. If your time or budget is tight, you can apply just one coat as long as you add a second coat in strategic areas such as those exposed to sunshine and rain on the south and west sides of the structure.