Wood preparation and exterior painting cycles

Before considering color, a wooden shutter must be thoroughly prepared . The surface must be dry, clean, and free of dust, loose paint residue, grease, wax, or contaminants. Gradual sanding, thorough vacuuming, and, where necessary, targeted paint stripping restore the substrate to a condition where new products can truly adhere.

For new wood, preparation focuses on smoothing any sharp edges, eliminating raised fibers, and evening out absorption. For existing wood, fillers and microcracks are also addressed, choosing elastic products compatible with the cycles to be used.

The first layer is often a primer : it penetrates the fibers, protects against humidity, UV rays, and biological attack, and prepares the base for subsequent layers. The choice between transparent and pigmented paint depends on how evenly you want the tone and how much exposure the shutters will receive: lightly pigmented colors resist light better than completely transparent solutions.

After the impregnating agent, or in combination with it, one or more base coats and finishes are applied. In transparent cycles, semi-transparent wood-on-wood varnishes are used, leaving the grain visible; in opaque enamels, opaque base coats and solid-colored enamels are used. In both cases, the goal is to build a continuous yet elastic film , capable of following the slight movements of the wood without immediately cracking.

Proper dilution and respecting the drying times between coats are crucial: over-stretched coats or coats applied on immature layers create brittle films, premature cracking, bubbles, or peeling. Working in suitable climatic conditions (neither too cold, too hot, nor extreme humidity) is equally important.

Particular care should be taken at the ends, joints, and areas most exposed to water : here, the wood absorbs more water and tends to deteriorate more quickly. An extra coat of wood stain or finish in these areas, combined with proper construction details, prolongs the life of the entire system.

At the end of the cycle, the shutter appears uniform, smooth, or slightly textured, depending on the product, with an adequate but not excessive paint thickness. A good paint job is not only recognizable when freshly finished, but especially after seasons of sun and rain , when the finish ages evenly, without flaking in patches.