If your library is made of wood, then think of it like an exterior deck. Raw wood needs to be painted or stained to protect it from water and sun damage. Look for a standard exterior house paint with the following qualities:
- Water-based exterior paint
- 100% acrylic latex formula
- Semi-gloss finish
- Designed for siding, trim, doors, shutters, masonry, and wood
We recommend applying a coat of primer (such as Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3) before painting or staining your library. The primer is designed to bond well with wood, and will help your paint or stain adhere better. Apply more than one coat of paint or stain for extra weather protection, and reapply every 1 – 2 years, or as needed.
No coats of varnish are needed if you’re using house paint. The only time we recommend using varnish is if you painted your library with acrylic paints that aren’t designed for outdoor use. You could choose to stain your library instead, but it won’t last as long as paint will.
Watch the short video below to learn how to paint a Little Free Library.