Paints

The right paint and prep make wood surfaces last and look professional. This section covers choosing paint, priming and prepping, application technique, and removing old paint.

Choosing paint: what paint to use on wood, Behr options, Rust-Oleum on wood, and Kilz vs Kilz 2.

Prep & priming: paint over stained wood and stop cabinet paint chipping.

Technique: smoothest cabinet finish, antique painting, and painting veneer.

Removal: strip paint from trim and get paint off skin.

For finishing beyond paint (stain, oil, poly), see our wood finishing guide.

What kind of paint should I use on wood? Acrylic latex is the versatile all-rounder; use oil-based or a bonding primer for glossy, stained, or high-wear surfaces.

Can you paint over stained wood? Yes — clean, lightly sand, and apply a bonding primer first so the paint adheres and won’t peel.