Woodwork
Restoring Wooden Shutters
Old wooden shutters with peeling paint were sanded, primed and repainted instead of being replaced.
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Step by step
1. The old shutters
The paint had peeled and the wood was left exposed to the weather, especially at the bottom.
2. Sanding
The old paint comes off with a sander and scraper until sound wood shows.
3. Primer
The primer seals the grain of the wood and gives the final paint a good base.
4. The result
The same shutters, painted and protected for years to come.
Questions this job answers
My wooden shutters are faded and peeling. Can they be saved or do they need replacing?If the wood underneath is sound, they can usually be saved: sanded back to clean wood, primed and painted, or given a clear finish. Wood that has rotted and gives under pressure needs repair or replacing.Can I paint my shutters over the old paint without sanding?Only if the old paint is holding firmly everywhere. If it's peeling or cracked, the new coat will come off with it. Anything loose has to come off with a scraper and sanding first.Should I paint or varnish my wooden shutters and door?It depends on the wood and on what you want to see. Paint covers the wood and hides old repairs. Varnish lets the grain show, but it needs clean, sound wood underneath.My wood has gone grey and cracked. Does that mean it's rotten?Not necessarily. Greying and fine cracks are usually surface wear from the sun and come off with sanding. Rotten wood is soft, gives when you press it, or crumbles.