Painting Internal Osb Walls: A Guide?

This video discusses the best way to paint an internal OSB wall, a popular material used in walls, roofs, and flooring. It provides expert advice on how to prepare the surface, including sanding and cleaning it, using a polyester resin filler to conceal gaps, applying a heavy waterproofing primer, and applying at least two coats of paint.

The video also covers the priming and painting process, as well as the final gas line alterations. OSB has proven to be an economical and competitive structural panel since the 1990s. A single coat of primer is usually enough, followed by one or two coats of oil-based paint (for exterior use) or acrylic latex wall or floor paint (for interior use).

Painting OSB can create a more aesthetically pleasing look and add extra protection against water damage. To achieve the best results, it is recommended to use a water-based primer and paint, which can help prevent moisture absorption and protect the OSB from swelling or warping. There are various ideas for applying multiple layers of oil-based primers with latex paint to smooth out the finish, but opting for a high-quality oil-based primer is the best option.

In conclusion, painting OSB walls can create a more aesthetically pleasing look and add extra protection against water damage. The video provides expert advice on the best method for painting OSB walls, emphasizing the importance of proper preparation and preparation before proceeding.


📹 How to paint a smooth finish on OSB walls

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Do I need to prime OSB before painting?

Before painting OSB, it is recommended to sand and prime the surface to achieve a smoother look. Multiple coats of primer or paint should be applied and sanded, but sanding may not be enough for flat surface smoothing. Arclin’s high-performance overlay technology can improve the surface without time-consuming preparation. The overlay technology is bonded with OSB during manufacture, resulting in a smooth, uniform surface. If needed, the overlay solution can be specified as a primer and come in various textures and be embossed if the design requires it.

Painted OSB can be used for external applications, but it is important to note that paint alone does not protect the product from moisture, which may warp or fray the board or cause it to lose its structural integrity. OSB rated 3 and above has a level of moisture resistance, but it is not designed to withstand prolonged exposure to moisture or high humidity.

Is OSB waterproof when painted?

To protect your OSB board from water damage, apply exterior paint before applying the waterproof sealer. This will make the board more attractive and provide water resistance. For a more natural look, stain the board. Use a high-quality sealer from a home improvement store or local hardware and apply it to the ends and surface of the OSB board. Allow the seal to dry for 12-14 hours before coating the remaining surfaces. If more layers of waterproofing are needed, allow each layer to dry for 12-14 hours before adding the next.

Should I spray or roll paint on OSB?
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Should I spray or roll paint on OSB?

To install wood panels, spread them out for 24-48 hours to adjust to humidity conditions. Sand the edges for a smoother finish, but avoid sanding the edges. Leave 1/8″ spacing at the edges when installing the boards, as wood expands and contracts with humidity. Use a high-quality acrylic latex paint system, and ask your paint dealer for a sealer as a prime coat. Clean the boards before applying paint, using a vacuum with a brush attachment.

Fill gaps with polyester resin-based filler and sand them until smooth. Reduce the number of cuts and seal edges where necessary. Use a roller instead of a sprayer for better coverage due to uneven surface and OSB’s absorbency rate.

What paint works best on OSB?

For optimal results, use a high-quality oil-based primer, acrylic or latex paint, paintbrushes and rollers, 120-grit sandpaper, tack cloth for dust cleanup, and safety gear like goggles, dust mask, and gloves. Spray paint is quick but not the optimal approach. A paint roller can provide superior coating depth and long-term satisfaction, but it may be more time-consuming. Sandpaper is recommended for surface preparation, and tack cloth is used for dust cleaning.

Is OSB safe for interior walls?

Oriented Strand Boards (OSB) and sheetrock have similar uses, but OSB has a broader range of applications, including furniture, subflooring, and wall sheaths. Sheetrock is less versatile, with a limited range of applications. The composition and applicability of OSB and sheetrock are nearly equal, but some people prefer OSB due to slight differences. Oriented Strand Boards are often preferred over sheetrock due to their versatility.

How many coats of paint on OSB?

To paint OSB, plywood, or chipboard, apply at least two coats of oil-based paint. This type of board is highly absorbent and may warp or change shape if painted with a water-based formula. OSB is one of the most unattractive wood surfaces in homes, often used as a construction board. However, with dedication and the right tools, it can be painted to improve its quality or hide visible sections. Professionals share their top painting tips for a smooth finish and proper paint absorption.

What is the best way to finish OSB walls?
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What is the best way to finish OSB walls?

OSB boards can be varnished using solvent-based varnish, which comes in high-gloss, matt, and silky matt versions. For lint-free results, use a solvent-resistant synthetic-fibre roller. After each coat, sand the surface with fine-grained sandpaper and clean off the sanding dust before applying the next coat. If OSB is laid as flooring, use a stain- and wear-resistant parquet or sealing varnish.

Staining or glazing OSB boards can retain their characteristic look while taking on a large palette of natural wood colors. Sanding is essential, and more coats of stain will darken the surface. To protect the boards, apply a coat of protective varnish after allowing the stain or glaze to dry. Alternatively, the surface can be sealed with oil or wax, using a good-quality brush or solvent-resistant synthetic-fibre roller.

Oiling and waxing OSB is easy and straightforward. Sand the surface beforehand, and apply the product with a cloth or large, wide brush. One or two coats should be sufficient, and sanding is unnecessary for surfaces that won’t experience much wear and tear. Linseed oil varnish or natural hard wax oil are unobjectionable from the standpoint of building biology, and small scratches are hardly noticeable on an oiled or waxed surface.

Can I paint OSB for interior walls?

In the case of both exterior and interior installations, it is necessary to prime and paint the smoother side of the OSB board, which should be marked with some form of printing. It is possible that the rougher side may display a printed message indicating that it should be placed in a particular orientation. The smoother side exhibits greater water resistance and absorbs more paint. It is recommended that both sides be primed and painted when feasible.

Is it better to paint or stain OSB?
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Is it better to paint or stain OSB?

Staining and glazing OSB boards can maintain their characteristic look by allowing the surface structure to remain visible while taking on a wide palette of natural wood colors. Sanding is essential, and more coats of stain will darken the surface. Stain deeply penetrates into the wood fibers, while glazes only color them superficially. To protect the boards, a coat of protective varnish should be applied after allowing the stain or glaze to dry. Alternatively, the surface can be sealed with oil or wax using a good-quality brush or solvent-resistant synthetic-fibre roller.

Oiling and waxing OSB is easy and straightforward, but sanding the surface beforehand is essential. Linseed oil varnish or natural hard wax oil are unobjectionable for building biology, and small scratches are hardly noticeable. However, oil can sometimes provoke a chemical reaction with the natural resins contained in OSB, resulting in prolonged release of an unpleasant odour. It is recommended to check with the oil’s manufacturer to ensure its suitability.

How to paint OSB walls?
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How to paint OSB walls?

OSB, or oriented strand board, is a popular choice for underlayers in various construction materials, such as carpeting, tile, hardwood flooring, wall sheathing, and roofs. It is made of multiple layers of chipped-up lower-grade wood, arranged flat and oriented perpendicular to each other. Cross-hatched strands impregnated with resins create stability in OSB. OSB is primarily intended for functional purposes, not finished boards, and is widely used in the building and remodeling industry for its low cost, high strength, and availability. It is sometimes used as a finished surface in utility areas like sheds, laundry rooms, mudrooms, and basements.

To paint OSB as a finish material, it requires special preparation. The Engineered Wood Association (APA) acknowledges that “Exposure 1” OSB can be successfully painted, but they note that OSB has a thin wax coating that protects it against moisture and inhibits painting. The prominently visible nature of OSB’s strands may show through on one coat of paint, so filler and heavy primer may be required to remove some of the wood’s texture. Additionally, exposing OSB’s edges to water may cause it to swell or crack.


📹 How to Paint an Internal OSB Wall👍

Onehandedwoodworking #workshop #osb In this video I look at the best way to paint an internal OSB wall. There is a lot of …


Painting Internal OSB Walls: A Guide
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Rafaela Priori Gutler

Hi, I’m Rafaela Priori Gutler, a passionate interior designer and DIY enthusiast. I love transforming spaces into beautiful, functional havens through creative decor and practical advice. Whether it’s a small DIY project or a full home makeover, I’m here to share my tips, tricks, and inspiration to help you design the space of your dreams. Let’s make your home as unique as you are!

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

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8 comments

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  • Hi Leo, Very interesting article. I live in the US and last year painted the inside of my new shed (all-OSB) and found similar results to you. – I ended up using 4 US gallons (20ltr) of oil-based Killz primer that was tinted to be pale gray. Got 3 coats total. – I pre-sealed all the joints with exterior caulk. – I was advised to use oil not water-based as water-based paint can really soak into OSB and potentially cause flaking. – at the start of the job, thinking one gallon would be enough I went to rent a sprayer but the hire shop wouldn’t let me use it for oil As they said it blocked the tips and pipes. I subsequently wished I’d either rented before walking in there w a can of oil paint (damn Home Depot and their integral hire shop) or simply lied to them as 4 gallons applied by hand is no joke. – I regret nothing.. the finish is super durable against spills and stains and looks great to me. I’d recommend really getting the edges because it’ll annoy you later

  • Hello Leo, nice job, may I suggest you something, I’ve been painting a lot of houses and apartments, even if is a small wall is best if you use the ruler with a stick you can apply much more pressure and much more uniform pressure, and you can use it one hand I tried myself before posting the comment and is not heavy at all. Just a suggestion have a nice day

  • It looks great and should last many years, couple of things, we don’t fill screw holes with caulk and if we did we would not be sanding it afterwards (you don’t sand decorators caulk), Personally I am not a fan of Zinsser products as it is overpriced and lets the tannin bleed through and does not work as well as oil based undercoats, but as you managed to get it cheap enough and had enough to apply an extra coat it all worked out in the end, nothing wrong with using the masonry paint indoors

  • I covered the walls of my 28×38 auto hobby shop with OSB as a less expensive covering. I’m very pleased with the results too! I hung the OSB by myself using a drywall lift and a good pneumatic staple gun. I had to learn how to hang at an angle, the drywall lift will not put the panel flat against the wall, but it wasn’t hard to figure out. I did not sand the panels, I did caulk the joints. I painted first with a 3/4 knap roller and 5 gal. of HD Behr Premium Plus Ultra White interior paint. I ran out about 6′ from finishing, plus the panels sucked the paint up. I got 5 gal. more, rolled it again and it looks great! I get a lot of compliments and the paint is awesome. The gloss paint gives the OSB a completely different appearance.

  • Interesting article leo. Still need to redo mine as I have major bleed through on mine. I had read you can just use the masonry paint on it’s own as it’s supposed to work well with osb. Maybe you can do a quick test to let people know, by people I mean me😁😁😁. Also because I used crap paint it’s chipped off in places. Also is that the trend t33a shop vac you have, is that any good for small power tool use.

  • Wow! You made this look so easy! Until I heard you mention something about not having utility in your right arm, I was thinking… Wow! Look at him go! He makes it look so easy – he’s even painting casually with his hand in his pocket! So… I think if you didn’t mention it, people not not even know. Perhaps it draws in a bit, but your chipper personality does that well enough! Thank you for the articles! Now I’ve got to decide if I want to put in the effort in a backroom that no one will see but me, the time (when I wanted it to be a morning project – ha), and the expense (when I had already pulled out a few cans of miscellaneous paints I was going to use.) Decision time! 🙂

  • I imagine you looked down at the drops of spilled Zinsser on the dust sheet and thought, “that’s a 50p and thats a £coin…a few 10p’s over there.” Seriously, a wonderful job on a tough substrate, nice tutorial too. Stick to one wall, that’ll cover your filming needs and with the effort, cost and time I’m sold on the raw OSB look! Great job Leo.

  • Nice job Leo, Zinsser is good stuff, but expensive as you say, although you got a good deal. The 1-2-3 you used is in fact water based. I’ve used the oil based cover-stain primer before when I had to decorate a room with a badly nicotine stained ceiling. Good ventilation definitely required as the smell from both the nicotine & primer were strong 🥴.

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