will paint reduce shrinkage and expansion of wood?

[Bill Wright]

The shed door is only covered with some brown preservative stuff. It shrinks and warps and stretches a lot. Should I wait until spring when it has dried out then paint it?

Bill

[harry]

Yes it will reduce shrinkage. However if the brown stuff is creosote, ordinary paint won't go on top of it. Bitumous paint would though. If you can get it.

[tabbypurr]

every diy shed in the known universe sells it.

[Bill Wright]

No, it's just the horrible water-based stuff. It doesn't even cover the wood properly. Thanks. I'll paint the door then.

Bill

[Rednadnerb]

Paint will slow down the rate of shrinkage and expansion but I don't think it will reduce it. Water vapour will get through the paint to the wood eventually.

[The Natural Philosopher]

It will help a little. But not a lot.

[Mark]

I have a small shed in our walled kitchen garden to keep the tools painted in black bitumastic emulsion

9 years so far and its still ok

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[The Natural Philosopher]

Aren't they a bit sticky to use?

[tabbypurr]

I'd expect it to have set solid, making use of the tools most inconvenient.

NT

[John Rumm]

The best option for doors like that is to ensure there is enough slack into the clearances to cope with the seasonal movement rather than trying to prevent it.

Paint will reduce the rate of moisture change a bit - but not that much, and with time it will crack and allow faster moisture content change.

[Terry Casey]

I've just read this out to my wife and explained the context.

She suggested using marine varnish. Sounds like a good idea to me.

[whisky-dave]

Does sound like a good idea but I thought marine varnish was very expensive. Most 'marine' stuff seems to be.

[Mark]

black bituminous emulsion better then any shed or fence paint you can buy these days Only downside is no going back if you dont like the look of it

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