Paint

[ethandron]

What kind of paint do I need to paint the inside of a pine summerhouse so that the wood grain still shows through? Would normal emulsion be too thick? Is there special paint to achieve this sort of effect, a sort of wash?
I'm thinking of some sort of white/cream/oyster/palest grey.
Thanks.

[ummmm]

You could water down some emulsion and layer it up to get the effect you desire.

[ethandron]

Have you done that Ummm? I don't want to make a complete balls up of it.

[RATTER15]

I think you are asking a bit much to be honest, it will need to withstand very penetrating heat and damp but applied very thinly to allow the grain of the paint to show through.

Nothing I know of would be suitable to be honest, maybe "The Builder" will come along and advise soon.

[ummmm]

No, but I've seen it done. Have you got a hidden little corner you can try it out on?

[RATTER15]

ummmm, do you think emulsion would withstand the damp in a greenhouse?

[ummmm]

Is a summer house a greenhouse?

[ummmm]

And yes I do. If it's watered down it will soak in.

[RATTER15]

Ok, so I'm going crackers, I read it as greenhouse, my apologies. I was a little confused why anybody would want to be so fussy in a greenhouse lol.

[The Builder]

Yep, I agree with Umms about very watered-down emulsion. If you start with a VERY thin coat, then you can easily build it up with more coats.

I've done this quite a lot on furniture ... you know, the old distressed look. Have a thought about "liming". It actually used to be lime, but modern emulsions work as well. You paint on, then rub it all down. The paint stays in the nooks and crannies. If too much is rubbed off, then you just put on another coat.

To pick up on Ratt's point. If you think it needs protection, then a coat of acrylic (water-based) lacquer will seal it all up. I've often used a simple acrylic floor sealer for this rather than polyurethane varnishes.

The craic is to practise on any old scraps of timber first.

[ethandron]

Ok, thanks all, very helpful.
When you say 'very watered down' what sort of proportions are we talking about...a quarter emulsion to three quarters water, or less emulsion? I really don't want to have to rub down, it's a pretty big summerhouse and I'm very lazy. That's the look I'm aiming for, old distressed kind of thing...or perhaps that me! ;)

[ummmm]

I would do a tester patch with 50/50 but keep in mind it needs to be layered. The second coat will cover more.

[ethandron]

Thanks Ummmm

[ummmm]

I knew watching 'changing rooms' would come in handy one day :-)

[The Builder]

Yes, 50/50 sounds about right. Even more water if you like. Modern emulsions are very opaque.

As I mentioned earlier, even if it's way too dilute. It won't matter. You just put on another coat. Don't dilute ALL your paint... just enough to have a practice run.

[woofgang]

speaking as a furniture upcycling bodger, another way to help you get the effect is to apply the dilute paint with a cloth and not a brush...something cotton and non fluffy like a piece of an old towel or t shirt. you really need somewhere to do some trials to see what finish you like....have you got a piece of scrap wood you could use?

[Buenchico]

If you buy a product called 'woodstain', rather than just 'paint' (although, confusingly, some manufacturers do use the term 'wood paint' as well) it's specifically designed to let the grain show through.

White and cream:
http://www.diy.com/departments/paint-wallpaper-decorating/external-paint-stains-varnishes/wood-stains-varnishes-oils/DIY830544.cat/Colour-42433=Cream--White?pageSize=12&categoryToFilter=DIY830544

Greys (page 1 of 3):
http://www.diy.com/departments/paint-wallpaper-decorating/external-paint-stains-varnishes/wood-stains-varnishes-oils/DIY830544.cat/Colour-42433=Grey?pageSize=12&categoryToFilter=DIY830544

[ethandron]

Great, thanks again everyone. Will do some testing on the offcuts as suggested.