Should I paint the original wood siding with Zinsser BIN before putting up Tyvex and vinyl to prevent further rot and insect damage?
Asked by Alice Austin 
2 months ago
Last Updated: October 22, 2024
I feel a little silly asking this, but I have a question about replacing the vinyl siding on my house around the back porch. The original 1940s wood siding underneath is in rough shape in some areas. I was planning on putting up Tyvek before installing the new vinyl, but I’m wondering if I should paint the original wood siding with something like Zinsser BIN first to prevent further damage from rotting or insects. I’ve already cleaned it up and scraped off loose paint. Also, I believe the round holes are from carpenter bees that are no longer around. 🤔
It’s better to be safe than sorry. The effort is minimal. You already have it exposed. I would definitely take measures to preserve it.
The holes seem too large to be made by bees. They appear more like holes drilled for blown-in insulation.
Concurs
When in doubt, it’s best to be cautious…
If it were me, I’d definitely give it a fresh coat of paint!
Tyvek over old siding? That’s a new one for me. Haha
Just use tyvek and cover it up. It seems like there are carpenter bee holes, but you’re fine. If it had blown-in insulation, the holes would be larger, around 1 1/2 to 3 inches. I once did blown-in insulation by myself and used a tool called hole hogs to drill the holes with big bits.
If there’s a lot of exposed wood from scraping, I’d recommend applying a layer of primer. You might even want to fill in the larger holes with caulk or bondo before moving forward with the siding.
Oh, and you might want to grab some ice and water or zip tape to seal the door frame. This will help prevent water from reaching the frame, especially since water tends to splash off the landing and seep in. Maybe consider applying ice and water to the first 3ft on both sides of the door as well.
Hey , do you happen to know the name of the Bondo?
Sure, apply some outdoor wood primer to it. Do two coats.
What did you find under the old wood siding? My husband and I decided to redo the siding on our house as part of a renovation project that included installing new windows. We had Cedar siding originally. After removing it, we discovered a thick layer of cardboard underneath called “thermaboard”. We decided to leave the thermaboard in place and instead put plywood over it. Then we wrapped the house in tyvec before adding cement board siding on top. We opted not to paint the plywood, as the tyvec wrap should provide enough protection if installed properly. Good luck with your own project!
Here, you never look silly asking a question……you can’t know everything 🤷♀️. Plus, there are so many smart people here 😊
Hey, just wondering if the wood is sturdy?
The spacing and positioning of the holes don’t seem to match the work of carpenter bees. Usually, carpenter bees bore into wood from the bottom or backside trim. They create a straight tunnel about 12-18 inches long, where the female lays eggs and packs food. The males do not sting, they provide food for the female. The type of tunneling described is more typical of carpenter ants, which also nest and lay eggs in tunnels. Both carpenter ants and bees do not eat wood, but they prefer moist wood for easier breakdown and to consume some of the moisture.
As a contractor, I always remove old stuff like that. It’s a quick process. And I don’t see the point in adding so many layers. This way, you can inspect the house sheeting and assess its condition. If it’s an old house, it probably has 3/4” horizontal boards. Keep those 😅. Best of luck.
I’d take that off and then cover what’s underneath.
Is there any mud stuck on the old siding? If not, I’m with Mike. It’s likely carpenter ants.
Remove old caulk, paint, and then apply the siding
Is the wood siding actually decaying or does it just not look good? To me, it seems like the paint is fading or failing. If you’re planning to cover it with tyvek and vinyl siding, I personally wouldn’t bother painting it. If there is actual decay, you can try using a wood hardener to salvage it before covering it. And if you suspect the paint is old (like from the late 70’s or earlier), I would avoid scraping or sanding to prevent dealing with potentially lead-based paint chips and dust.
No need to worry about sealing or painting it. What’s the point? And why bother wrapping it on top of everything? In my opinion, I’d take off that old siding so you can wrap it tightly over the sheathing. If you have the budget, consider adding some foamboard insulation or using insulated siding. It really does make a difference. If you’re set on keeping the old siding, skip the sealing and wrapping.
Big thanks to everyone for pitching in 🙏 We were able to complete the task successfully 🎉