Paint? Primer? help.

[Paper Roses]

I had my house primed and painted 2 years ago. It was scraped and primed over old stain and has help up nicely since.
I have a small 'L' on the rear that I did not have done. The stain is about 20 years old and is showing signs of peeling and fading.
The house is 2 1/2 stories, the 'L is only one story and does not get the heavy weather beating that the rest gets.
Can I paint directly over the old stain?
The house had been done twice in these past 15 or so years, the 'L' has never been done since it's initial stain.

I paid for the prime and paint job, I'm afraid there is no more $$$ to pay a contractor to do the addition. I'd like to do it myself. I can handle painting but two coats on 4 sides might do me in.

Can I just paint over the old stain? I would certainly scrape any loose flakes.
I have California Acrylic paint and it would go over old California Acrylic Storm Stain. Same color, except the stain has been changed to a low gloss and the paint is flat.
Advice would be appreciated.

[Ruby the Liberal]

1. This is not one area that I would try to cut costs

If the wood is still in good shape, I would definitely prime it to seal it before putting a coat of paint on it (and I don't personally like paint with primer - it is like spreading bubblegum with a spatula).

You don't have to do that all at once. You can prime it and then wait a week or two and then put the paint on.

If you don't prime it first, you could find yourself doing it all over again in short order.

[ZenLefty]

2. I've never regretted using primer.

I have regretted not using primer, though. It's worth the effort.

[Warpy]

3. No, stain can show through the paint

You'll need to scrape any loose stuff off, use a good primer and then paint if you want it to stay the same color without the stain bleeding through over time.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

4. What you might do is call a paint supplier

and talk to them about that and ask about coating over stain. With the ways latex paint has changed and what they have done with -,it is ,I must say pretty amazing. Just 2 weeks ago I sprayed some Sherwin willams out a five gallon bucket -a paint I once hated.It was already there bought and paid for. It was not the same Sherwin Williams paint I remember-,all paint manufacturers have changed the way they make paint-,to keep up with the changes.


They may have a paint out now that will allow you to paint over the stain without using a primer. You can alway check it out on consumer reports. Paint has changed a lot . Acrylic-& enamel and other ingredients they put into paint recipes is truely amazing.

I suggest you make some calls to paint stores-places that sell only paint and painting supplies for a phone consult.


Good luck with that.

[Adsos Letter]

5. What "Wash. state Desk Jet" said. ^ You might also consider a SOLID-color acrylic stain.

It depends, to some degree, on what type of wood your "L" is made of, as bleeding-type woods (redwood, cedar, etc.) may bleed tanins at the bare spots where the stain has peeled.

Solid color acrylic stains are designed for application without priming first, and leave a solid color finish which would probably match the house pretty well.

As "Wash. state Desk Jet" suggested, the major paint manufacturers have exterior acrylic paints which do just fine without priming, although they will still probably recommend two coats, for uniformity of appearance and durability.