Paintable Hardwoods

[Ron Bott]

I wondering if there are any hardwoods that are known as good for accepting paint finish. I seem to recall poplar as being one, but I would prefer something a bit harder like walnut. Any ideas?

[Chad Bender]

Maple is hard, and quite a bit cheaper (at least in central PA) than walnut.

[John A langley]

Soft Maple, Hard Maple and Birch are all good. I like Poplar

[John Gregory]

Poplar takes paint well, nice to work with and easy to mill. Maple is a great paint able wood to, if you need a harder wood.

[Jeff Monson]

I really like soft maple for painted projects. Hard enough to be a durable product, reasonable enough on price and accepts paint very well. No pores to deal with either.

[David Kumm]

Most woods that blotch when they are stained are pretty good painted. Dave

[Bob Lang]

Especially after seeing them blotch.

Bob Lang

[keith micinski]

MY wood guy was out of Poplar today so I bought some Bass wood to try on some closet doors I am making. I guess it isn't very hard though so we will see how things go.

[Herb Linderman]

Big Tooth Aspen takes paint real nice and it is cheap. :)

[Todd Burch]

I wondering if there are any hardwoods that are known as good for accepting paint finish. I seem to recall poplar as being one, but I would prefer something a bit harder like walnut. Any ideas?

If asked the other way:


I <was>wondering if there are any hardwoods that are known as bad for accepting <a> paint finish.

might be a better approach, as you would learn the woods to stay away from. Otherwise, you'll keep getting posts until every hardwood is mentioned (except the oily ones).

And since you asked... Stay away from oily woods when painting. ;)

[Bill White]

If ya think that poplar is soft, wait 'till you see how basswood works. That is carving/decorative wood. It'll dent like crazy.
Bill

[keith micinski]

Ya, I read that it was a soft carving wood but just machining it and moving it around it doesn't feel all that light or all that soft. Luckily I don't have any kids and most of the door is going to be frosted glass so I don't think durability will be much of an issue.