Issues and repairs | BRANZ Maintaining My Home

Verandas – timber paint/stain failure

Listed under: Exterior, timber and wood-based, paint, stain, timber, verandas, lead-based paint

with paint failure, repaint after sanding down and ensuring a clean and dry surface – good preparation is crucial for success. Repaint with at least 2 coats of good quality acrylic paint. Use a lighter colour if there is high UV exposure
very old layers of paint may contain lead. Lead can be a health hazard if fumes, dust or paint fragments are swallowed or breathed in. For more information see Health and safety: lead-based paint
with stain failure, the first step is determining (if not known) the type of finish. Is it:

film-forming coatings weather by peeling or flaking or becoming more opaque while penetrating stains weather by losing their intensity and general appearance.
film-forming clear or lightly pigmented coatings are vulnerable to ageing of the underlying timber and loss of coating adhesion under UV light from the sun
some timber producers do not recommend clear finishes for timber elements fully exposed to sun and weather
recoating of clear or pigmented film-forming stains may be required every 6 months–2 years
scrape or sand off the existing coating to give an as-new timber surface. Recoating with the same type of product will restore the appearance
major coating manufacturers have advice lines you can call for help and product recommendations for your specific circumstances
for a penetrating stain, wash the surface with a low-pressure chemical wash to remove dirt and any fungal growth. Do not waterblast as this will damage the timber. Once dry, apply a coat of penetrating stain following the manufacturer’s instructions
penetrating stains will typically need to be reapplied every 2–4 years