Painting on Rough Wood

Acrylic Latex Paint

• Paint with high-quality acrylic latex paint. This type of paint is best for rough surfaces, as it spreads evenly over the surface of the wood due to its high viscosity. Acrylic paint is also flexible and durable, making it ideal for less-than-ideal surfaces. It is also better for painting outside, where most rough wood painting projects take place.

Brushes and Rollers

• Use synthetic bristle brushes, which are well-suited to painting on rough surfaces. Synthetic brushes are made of nylon and polyester materials, and can better handle caustic acrylic paints than natural brushes. If you need to use a roller, use one with a cover that is between 3/4 inch and 1 1/2 inches thick. A thicker, softer cover will help the paint get deep in the crevices of the wood.

Solid-Color Stains

• Paint with solid-color stains if working with rough wood on the exterior of a building. Wood has a fibrous structure and reacts to changes in temperature and moisture by expanding or contracting, which warps and cracks paint that is inflexible. Paint with an alkyd semi-transparent stain or a latex solid color stain, as these are extra flexible and durable stains that accommodate that expansion and contraction.

Spray Paint

• While spray-painting generally isn't a good option, as it may create a film on the surface of the wood that can lead to cracking and peeling, it may work in a pinch indoors where temperature and moisture changes aren't a big problem. Spray paint is fairly viscous and thus helps penetrate the crevices in rough wood.