Painting Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

Farmallhal · Aug 19, 2011

I'm expanding my tractor work area to include a heated and cooled working area and plan to cover the walls with OSB (Ox Board, Oriented Strand Board, Chip Board). This is the material commonly used these days in lieu of plywood which is mostly imported from Canada. One side is slick with what appears to be a resin while the other side seems to be more of a natural wood which is much rougher. This is the material which seems to be made from wood chips and glue or a resin. It has several different names depending on the local area.
I am wanting to paint the interior after this material is placed on the walls and before adding additional features like shelves, cabinets, etc. Has anyone painted this material before and which side is best to be painted? Any help would be most appreciated as I want to install the material with the correct side out to be painted. Thanks for any and all your comments, Hal.

David G · Aug 19, 2011

I painted mine, primed it with oil base, then finish coat of latex. It has been a year, do not know long term.

casenut1 · Aug 19, 2011

paint the ruff side, slick side helps make moisture barrier.

Janicholson · Aug 19, 2011

It is compatible with both latex, and oil based paints on either side. It will absorb radical quantities of paint if painted flat. It will need to be painted when flat if you want it to be exposed to weather (Porosity lets water get inside, and deteriorate the chips). If used inside, and looks are the deal, no issue as to seal, paint it standing. For tough I like a floor and deck paint. Other than that, a nice thick bodied interior house paint works well. PPG, and Benjamin Moore, seem to have an edge in application and coverage. Jim

fixerupper · Aug 19, 2011

My 30X32 shop with 13 foot ceiling is lined with it shiny side out. It's thirsty. I ignored recommendations to seal it before painting so I just went ahead and rolled on latex enamel. Five days and 32 gallons later I was done. Most of the first coat of paint that I spent multiple hours rolling on just disappeared into the wood. Jim

flying belgian · Aug 19, 2011

I painted smooth side of mine with paint I got from Maynards. White oil base barn paint. Guarenteed one coat coverage. I put 5 coats on and could still read the ink label stamped on it.

Jaden · Aug 19, 2011

We spray painted the smooth side with 2 coats of good primer and a finish coat. Pretty shiny.
Reflects light a lot better than unfinished.

old art · Aug 19, 2011

did my 3c garage sprayed it heavy and took a roller and folowed the sprayer rolled it did not add paint just rolled toget into the surface 1 coat covered the shinney side used 10 gallons on 3 walls and ceiling the rolling realy helped i think the sprayer was air less had a pump on it

JDseller · Aug 20, 2011

We have used it in two of my son"s car garages. We put the smooth side out and then sealed it before painting it. IF you do not seal it it will suck up a lot of paint.

In the shop we built we used it up high on the walls and ceiling. On the lower half we used 1/2 plywood. It works much better if you are going to be hanging things on it. The OSB board does not hold screws or nails as well when tools and etc. are hung on them.

Oldmax · Aug 20, 2011

I painted slick side one coat then two coats of latex.

big fred · Aug 20, 2011

If you want it to look like drywall, you can tape the seams and give it a skim coat and texture and you won't be able to tell it from drywall.

Painting Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

Farmallhal

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David G

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casenut1

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Janicholson

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fixerupper

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flying belgian

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Jaden

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old art

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JDseller

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Oldmax

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big fred

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