Paint or Varnish?

When you restore wood, the first decision is whether to cover it with paint or let the grain show. Both protect the wood, but they wear differently and need different care.

Paint

Paint covers the wood with an opaque layer. It hides old repairs, fillerFillerA fine paste or powder that fills holes, fine cracks and dents so a wall, ceiling or piece of wood is smooth before it is painted. and differences in the wood, and it suits shutters and doors that were painted before. It needs a primerPrimerThe thin first coat that goes on before the main material. It binds dust, seals the pores and helps paint or waterproofing stick firmly. underneath, which seals the grain and helps the paint grip. When paint wears out it usually cracksCrackA split or gap in render, concrete, a wall, a coating or wood. Fine cracks are usually only on the surface; ones that grow, keep reopening or run diagonally need attention. and peelsPeeling paintWhen paint loses its grip and lifts off in flakes or sheets. It is almost always a sign of a problem underneath, usually damp or poor preparation., and before the next coat anything that isn't holding firmly has to come off.

At one house with old cream shutters, the leaves were sandedSandingSmoothing a surface with sandpaper or a power sander to remove bumps, loose old paint or gloss, so the new paint or varnish grips well and comes out smooth., primed and painted again in a light tone, as they had been before.

Varnish

VarnishVarnishA clear or semi-transparent finish for wood that lets the grain show through and protects it from sun, rain and wear. is clear or semi-transparent and lets the wood show through. Some varnishes are almost colourless and others are tinted, giving the wood a warmer or darker tone. Varnish suits wood with a nice grain and structures like pergolasPergolaAn open shade structure in a garden, on a terrace or a roof, made of posts and beams with slats, reeds, fabric or plants on top. It is often made of wood.. It usually wears gradually, fading and thinning, and if you catch it in time it is easier to renew than paint that has peeled.

These shutters show the difference: the left leaf has just been sanded, and the right one already has a finish in a warm wood colour.

Wood preservative

A wood preservativeWood preservativeA liquid that soaks into wood and protects it from fungi, rot, woodworm and moisture. It goes on bare wood, usually before varnish or paint. is not a final finish. It is a liquid that soaks into bare wood and protects it from fungi, rotWood rotDecay of wood caused by fungi when it stays damp for a long time. Rotten wood goes soft, gives when pressed or crumbles, and can't be saved with paint. and woodworm, and varnish or paint goes on top of it. It makes most sense on new or completely bare wood that will stay outdoors.

From paint to varnish?

If a shutter is painted and you want the wood to show, all the paint has to come off, including from the corners and the louvres. That is much more work, and under the paint there may be filler, patches or wood that was never meant to be seen. Going the other way, from varnish to paint, is simpler. If you're considering it, ask for a small area to be sanded first so you can see what's underneath.