What do I need to do to protect the wood of my doghouse before painting it?

I would use an oil based primer and paint :)

Why oil-based? Will that protect it from rain and water? And is primer all that’s needed?

I would use a sealer, like they have for decks. Go to your local hardware store (preferably not Lowe’s or Home Depot, use a locally owned store) and tell them you need a sealer to waterproof an outside building.

Ah, thanks. That sounds right!

Fido is appreciating what you are doing for him. he told me so.

Love the pix. floor and deck sealer will work just fine, unless you plan on co-ordinating colors with your house.

Thanks for the tip on going to the local hardware store. I’m the first to run down to Lowe’s without a second thought. I googled and found one – it’s farther than Lowe’s, but I’ll go since it really puts money into our town.

@john65pennington Thanks! lol.

So guys, do I paint first, or seal first?

If the wood was used inside before, it’s probably not pressure treated.

If you build it from pressure treated wood and then paint it with exterior paint it will last a long time.

Hasn’t pressure treated wood been proven to be harmful to living creatures [dogs and humans]?

Thanks for the tip, @zandrace!

Have you asked your dog?

@ChazMaz Not sure she’s gotten her degree in Woodworking…she’s only 5 months old [as of this past Sunday!]. :P

Regardless of exactly how you treat your dog house it will outlast the dog by at least 10 years.

I have a custom ‘goose barn’ I had made 3 years ago, just painted with a good quality exterior paint…that thing is like the titanic, it will still be standing years after I have ‘bought the farm.’ lol

Good quality exterior acrylic paint is all you need to protect that doghouse walls. Give it a good 2 or 3 coats… make sure you paint the side and the seams as well. Not for nothing, but if you go to Lowe’s or Home Depot, you can pick-up a gallon of paint for about $5, those that can be found on the OPPSSS shelf. . .. they’re mixed paint that the color didn’t come out right.

@squirbel

If you seal, the paint will NOT adhere very well.

You want to PRIME then PAINT then SEAL.

I have used water based paints for exteriors, sealed it with industrial marine epoxy and that worked fine.

If you’re planning on sealing, I’m don’t think it makes a difference whether the paint is oil or water based. Water based is easier to clean up and has much lower VOC’s.

Pick out a primer – probably in white is best. Pick out your paint. Pick a sealer. Voila!

Just make sure they are all made for outdoor use.

I’m sorry but frankly I don’t see the point in spending over $20—$30 for a sealer and/or primer for this doghouse, unless OP feels their beloved pooch deserves all the effort in applying 3 different products on its new crib. Acrylic paint, in 3 coatings, maybe can get away with 2, would be it for me.

I want the best for my dog.

@squirbel if you do, forget about the paint, instead wrap it up with tar paper or vapor barrier sheets, tack on some R31 insulation, and finish it of with cedar plank shingles. . .

@njnyjobs

Because paint isn’t that expensive – people often give it away for free on Craigslist or Yahoo Freecycle – and because priming, painting, sealing will make it protect the wood a lot longer so they don’t have to repaint frequently, deal with flaking paint (which I consider a pollutant), and/or have their wood rot so that they have to rebuild in a few years.

If you just apply paint without primer (to wood), first the wood would absorb some of it, so you’d end up using more paint. Second, paint doesn’t bond all that well to pure wood. The primer creates a surface that the paint can adhere to. Without it, the paint will fail (come off) much faster – again, resulting in you having to use more paint. Sealing again just prolongs the life of your paint job. Nothing will last forever, but if you maintain the sealant coat, you’ll probably never have to paint again. Of course you can always skip the sealant and just plan on repainting from time to time. Now that I think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever used sealant on wood – only metal. You could also just go with the sealant and skip the paint…

I don’t see how tar paper/vapor barrier sheets + R31 insulation (which is a lot by the way – the insulation you get from the added material after R19 almost always does not warrant the extra material or cost) + cedar plank shingles is going to come out cheaper than paint! It most likely will not. It definitely will not where I live…

And then there is the added issue of which side to apply the vapor barrier to, which depends on where you live. And if the insulation were to ever get wet (how tight can you make the shingles, what is the humidity where this shed is, will they maintain it to prevent leakage), it would be useless and may start molding.

@squirbel Don’t forget to make sure that the paint is made for wood (not metal) and if you get a sealant make sure it works with the paint you get. I’ve never used both sealant and paint together. I’ve always used either primer + paint or just sealant…

I would prime with an oil-based primer, even if you are going to use a latex paint. I would also use an oil-based paint.

If your dog isn’t done with the teething/chewing stage yet, make sure the paint you use is pet safe.

Thanks @lilikoi. No thanks, @njnyjobs. Smart-ass answers are not welcome.

Talk to your supplier, he will have some great answers for you. One thing about primer vs several coats of paint is the price. Consider which is cheapest, and do it that way, but you don’t need both a primer and several coats of paint. The sealer as a final layer is very important. Keep in mind it will have to be re-applied regularly (once a year or bi-yearly depending on your weather).

@squirbel I gave you two perfectly viable answers, one that saves you money and effort by slapping 3 coats of OPPSSS paint and one that provides your pooch with the best as you had indicated that you wished for it. . . .

and you think I’ll spend time giving out suggestions just to provide smart-ass answers?!?!?... geeeezzzzz…smart-up!!!