What can I put on painted wood to protect from water?

Apply Polyurethane Sealer Wearing eye protection, apply the polyurethane sealer to the painted wood surface with the brush.

thespruce.com - How to Seal Painted Wood for Outdoor Use - The Spruce

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No place is harsher for painted wood than the outdoors, but additional coatings and sealants can counteract some of the exterior's detrimental effects. Sealing painted wood is simple and quick, and it can help preserve the wood's appearance and prolong its lifespan.

Why You Should Seal Painted Wood

Sunlight's ultraviolet (UV) rays are the main enemy of painted outdoor items such as chairs, tables, play equipment, and more. Photodegradation breaks apart the molecules that form paint's tight, protective bond. This destructive process also has an avenue through paint's pigments—the solids that create paint color—which absorb UV rates at a greater rate and speed up the decay. Painted wood surfaces located outdoors must either be taken indoors—often, not an option—or protected. Protection is the work of wood sealers, which slow down paint decay.

When You Should Not Seal Painted Wood

Painted wood that's been coated with exterior-grade paint does not need to be sealed with a clear coat. Two or more coats of exterior paint are already sufficient outdoor protection. As long as the paint and underlying wood are in good condition, the paint can remain as-is. The best sealer for wood painted in exterior-grade paint is another layer or two of exterior-grade paint. No clear coatings are necessary. If you do decide to clear-coat painted wood, know that some oil-based and latex paints can turn an amber color under polyurethane coatings. First, test the sealer on an inconspicuous section of the painted surface to see if the color changes.

When to Seal Painted Wood

There are a few conditions when you might want to apply a clear sealer instead of exterior-grade paint over painted wood: For protecting any kind of interior-grade paint, including chalk paint and milk paint

To protect and maintain the appearance of intentionally distressed or weathered wood

When changing gloss but not color

For sealing over lead-based paint

To add an amber or sepia tone to the paint color

Safety Considerations

Wear eye protection when working with TSP and polyurethane sealers. Work in well-ventilated areas when sealing the wood, especially with oil-based coatings. Brushes used with oil-based sealers must be cleaned with paint thinner or mineral spirits. As these products contain powerful chemicals, take care when using them. Wear goggles, work in ventilated areas, and properly dispose of waste materials with community-approved methods.

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