The question of how to prevent white woodwork from yellowing is something I’m asked on a regular basis in my role as a Professional Decorator. I can see why too! You spend time, effort and money decorating your home, only for your pristine white woodwork to discolour after a short period.
So, what causes white woodwork to yellow, and what can you do about it? I thought I’d lay out a quick guide that will help you to keep your woodwork looking good (and white) for years to come.
What Causes White Woodwork to Turn Yellow?
The binder in most oil-based paint products is an alkyd, and one of the properties of an alkyd is that it yellows over time. Manufacturers use chemicals called VOCs to slow down this process, but in 2010, the EU brought in legislation to restrict the quantity of VOCs that manufacturers were allowed to use in paint. From 2010 onwards, the yellowing of white woodwork became a major issue.
Certain paints yellow faster than others, but the environment also plays a big part. UV radiation (sunlight) has a bleaching effect on paint. So, white woodwork will not yellow as quickly in, say a conservatory, as it will in a hallway or inside a cupboard.
How to Prevent White Woodwork from Yellowing
There are steps you can take to slow, or even stop the yellowing of white woodwork. Although this means redecorating, I’m afraid. As far as I’m aware, there’s no practical way of reversing the yellowing process once it has happened.
Use a Water-Based Paint
Most water-based paints for internal woodwork contain no alkyd at all, so it will never yellow. Others are classed as ‘hybrids’ and still contain a small amount of alkyd. However, even hybrids retain their colour for a lot longer than true oil-based paints.
There are a lot of water-based paints on the market now, but they vary in quality. The quality makes a huge difference to performance, finish, and durability. You must use a good trade paint to achieve the best results.
Research we conducted on The Decorators Forum UK shows that most Professional Decorators think Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Guard is the best water-based paint for interior woodwork.
Within the Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Guard range, there is a primer, which acts as an undercoat, a matt, a satin, and a gloss. The gloss is a hybrid, whereas the others are fully water-based. Satin is the most popular choice.
I suggest opting for the matt or the satin. You’ll find these products easy to use, very durable, and will never yellow. The finish is fantastic too! Use a good-quality mini roller, like the ProDec Ice fusion. This will help when painting flat surfaces like interior doors and window boards. A clean paint brush is also essential.
Choose Satinwood Instead of Gloss
Now you know that you can prevent white woodwork from yellowing by using a good-quality water-based paint. Almost 75% of Professional Decorators now use water-based paint rather than oil-based when painting woodwork.
However, most water-based gloss paints are hybrids, so they contain some alkyd oil, whereas most water-based matt, eggshell, and satinwood paints contain none.
And, no matter how good water-based paint is now, some people will always prefer oil-based.
There is far more alkyd in oil-based gloss than there is in oil-based eggshell or satinwood. So, white gloss tends to yellow a lot quicker than the other finishes available.
Regardless of whether you take a chance on oil-based, or you take my advice and stick to water-based; matt, eggshell, or satinwood is the best bet if you want to avoid yellowing.
How to Paint Water-Based Paint Over Oil-Based Paint
So, we’ve established water-based paint is the way to go to avoid yellowing. This presents a problem if your woodwork is already coated with oil-based. I have a little bit more science for you; Alkyd binder basically carries on crosslinking forever. So, old oil-based paint is very hard and it’s difficult to get water-based paint to stick.
Don’t let this put you off. You just need to be mindful. Abrade the surface properly before you paint. This puts thousands of tiny scratches into the existing paint, which your new paint then keys to.
Removing every trace of dust will also aid the adhesion of your new water-based coating.
The other mistake I see people make is they apply a water-based topcoat without a primer or undercoat. Doing this often leads to the paint failing. My advice is to follow the system; Johnstone’s Aqua Guard Satin should be applied over Johnstone’s Aqua Guard Primer. Dulux Trade Quick Dry Gloss should be applied over Dulux Trade Quick Dry Undercoat. Always ensure you use the proper system.
If you’re unsure as to which undercoat you should use, or there isn’t an undercoat specified with the paint you’re using, then you could opt for one of the specialist adhesion primers that are on the market.
I know I’m a massive geek, but primers have come a long way in recent years. You can now buy water-based primers that will adhere as well as any oil-based primer would. They also block knot bleed and tannins, and even inhibit rust (this is handy if using water-based paint outside).
My advice would be to buy Bedec All Prime. It does everything you would ever need from an adhesion primer, and it’s a lot more reasonably priced than a lot of the other options on the market.
FAQs
How to stop gloss going yellow on wood?
If you’ve already glossed your woodwork, then there isn’t really anything you can do, except maybe try and keep curtains open. The more natural light, the longer your woodwork will stay white. However, your best bet is to repaint with a water-based product.
What takes yellow out of wood?
If it’s your paint that’s yellowed, then the only thing you can do is repaint. If your woodwork is just engrained with grease or another contaminant, then a detergent like Zinsser Degreaser will work.
What is the best gloss paint for wood that doesn’t yellow?
Gloss is a tricky one, simply because even most water-based gloss paints contain some alkyd oil and will yellow after a period. My favourite is Teknos Futura Aqua 90, but if you really want a non-yellowing paint, then consider a water-based satinwood instead.
What wood finish doesn’t turn yellow?
Fully water-based paints will never turn yellow. Hybrid and oil-based paints do.
What is non yellowing varnish?
Varnish can contain alkyd, which yellows over time. If you want a non-yellowing varnish, opt for a water-based polyurethane.
Final Thoughts
Now you know everything you need to about how to prevent white woodwork from yellowing. Moreover, you know how to use a non-yellowing water-based paint, so it looks good and lasts.
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