# Exterior weatherproof paint question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exterior-weatherproof-paint-question/504442>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 27, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exterior-weatherproof-paint-question/504442 "2009-07-27T16:43:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![xanthous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/53a042/32.png) [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exterior-weatherproof-paint-question/504442/1 "2009-07-27T16:43:39Z")

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**Manthous** and I built and installed a new (wooden) gate door this weekend. We bought exterior weatherproof paint for it. A neighbor said it needs to be painted with sealant first. Is this true?

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**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exterior-weatherproof-paint-question/504442/2 "2009-07-27T16:57:53Z")

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If it’s just a regular old paint designed for exterior use, I’d say you need to apply an exterior grade primer first, then the paint. I would not apply anything to the wood that isn’t specifically listed on the can, and I would try to follow the directions on the can as closely as possible. I could see the wrong sealant totally screwing up your paint job.

BTW, if this gate is made of pressure treated wood, you should wait for a few months before painting. PT wood is usually much wetter than regular wood, due to the PT process, and needs to dry out before it’s painted.

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**Author:** ![xanthous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/53a042/32.png) [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\
**Post date:** [July 27, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exterior-weatherproof-paint-question/504442/3 "2009-07-27T17:21:35Z")

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> [@Cheesesteak](#):
>
> BTW, if this gate is made of pressure treated wood, you should wait for a few months before painting. PT wood is usually much wetter than regular wood, due to the PT process, and needs to dry out before it’s painted.

It’s just regular pine tongue & groove panels and a couple 2 x 4s bought at Home Depot lumber dept.

(and yes, it’s Behr exterior waterproof flat color paint)