Refining OSB panels: painting, varnishing or wallpapering?

OSB panels are still a relatively new building material in Europe, which is why questions keep popping up both when using them and when finishing them. In principle, it is possible to paint, varnish or even wallpaper the coarse chipboard without any problems. Due to the special characteristics of the plates, however, a number of factors must be taken into account.

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Ordinary wall paint is sufficient for painting. Again, the panels should be sanded and ideally untreated. The only exception is the pre-treatment with a blocking reason. Anyone who opts for unpolished panels must sand and vacuum the surface accordingly before painting. Only then is there a correspondingly smooth base and both the risk of injury and the risk of chips tearing out and breaking off is reduced.

paint

When painting the OSB panels, the same procedure is used as when painting. The panels should be sanded and treated with blocking primer. Only then can the paint be applied in such a way that an even result can be achieved. It is also important that a solvent-based paint is chosen if possible. Because with water-based paints, the edges of the panels can lift, as there is a risk of swelling. Whether the structure of the Oriented Strand Boards – as the boards are also called – is still visible or not, of course, also depends on the paint chosen. Opaque, colored variants make the pattern disappear. Light tones and transparent varnishes allow them to shine through.

glazing and staining

With glaze and stain, the structure of the panel surface can be preserved while the material becomes more durable and resilient. Nevertheless, this type of refinement is not suitable for frequently used and heavily stressed surfaces. It is better to apply another layer of transparent varnish after applying the stain or glaze. This makes the result more durable and moisture or exposure to the sun does not quickly lead to fading or discoloration.

wallpapering

Manufacturers of OSB panels advise against wallpapering them. The simple reason for this is that the panels expand according to the prevailing humidity and contract again when drying. When the wallpaper paste dries, the wallpaper could tear. Nevertheless, it is possible to refine the coarse chipboard in this way. It is necessary to pay attention to the following points:

• Choose water vapor permeable wallpaper
• Use paste that is suitable for the OSB board
• Sand the substrate to achieve an absolutely even and smooth result

An alternative is waterproof fiberglass wallpaper, which is applied to the panels or the wall with dispersion adhesive. When doing this, it must be ensured that there is no air between the wallpaper and the substrate. This results in a sealing of the wood, which can also prevent swelling.

oils and waxes

The coarse chipboards can easily be oiled or waxed. However, these methods only make sense if the panels are only subjected to low loads. For example, in the ceiling area or on walls that are in rarely used rooms. One advantage of oiling and waxing is that light scratches can be leveled out quickly and easily. In addition, the optically appealing structure is retained.

Prepare OSB panels

Depending on which finishing variant is chosen, the panels must be prepared accordingly. As mentioned, this primarily involves grinding. This is important to make the surface receptive and smooth. Only then should blocking primer, paints, varnishes; Oils, waxes or stains are used. This is of course not necessary for variants that have already been discussed. Sanding is also useful because chips that tear out and uneven edges not only impair the appearance, but also pose a risk of injury. This is only a minor problem on the ceiling. On the other hand, splinters and chips that break off are a risk on walls and floors as well as surfaces used for other purposes.

perform refinement

It is important for any type of refinement - with the exception of wallpaper - that several layers are applied. Because the panels are receptive, it is not possible to achieve an opaque and even result with one layer of varnish or paint alone. The timing of the refinement is also crucial. To do this, proceed as follows:

1. After preparation by sanding and attaching the panels, they should be allowed to adapt to the indoor climate for at least 48 hours. If necessary, use spacers to prevent warping and shifting. However, depending on whether the room is wetter or drier than the previous storage location, the panels will still contract or swell.
2. After acclimatization of two days or more, assembly can begin.
3. Once the assembly has been completed, the finishing can begin and the blocking primer or insulating primer can be applied. It is important that all further processing steps are completed within 36 hours if possible. Otherwise, the plates can warp, bend or move against each other.
4. As mentioned, lacquer, paint or oil should be applied in several layers in order to achieve the best possible high-quality and durable result.

Utils

In order to achieve a corresponding refinement, the right utensils must be used in addition to high-quality products.
Depending on the type of finishing, the following utensils are:

• Paint brush: Oil, wax, but also stain and glaze can be easily applied with brushes. These are also ideal for working on edges and joints.
• Paint or varnish roller: Paint rollers are ideal for larger areas and for applying paint and varnish. They are particularly suitable for applying the agents very evenly.
• Cloth: Applying or wiping with a cloth is only recommended for oils and waxes. Even then, wide brushes are usually the better choice

In any case, the funds should be stirred thoroughly before application and gloves should be worn as a matter of urgency.

Find out more about wood-based panels: Fibre, chipboard, OSB and MDF panels