- Q.I have been told that the
oils in a penetrating oil-base stain will improve old,
dry clapboards. Is this true, or would it be better to
seal the weather checks with a high-quality oil-based
or latex paint?
A.If the final finish
is to be a solid color, I would recommend an
oil-based primer for weathered wood. A high-quality
oil-based primer will replenish the oils in the
wood as well as an oil stain. But the primer will
fill the weather checks, which the stain
won’t do. Two top coats of paint, either
latex or oil, should be applied over the
primer.