Panels of <i>Pinus radiata were painted with various combinations of low-solids water repellent, high-solids water repellent, white primer and paint mixed with silane, and then painted over the alkyd enamel paint. The panels were exposed outside for 30 months. The low-solids water repellent proved to be a paintable primer which markedly improved the durability of the paint film. Durability was adversely affected by the introduction of a conventional paint primer between the repellent and the paint film. The high-solids repellent did not protect the paint film to the same extent, and silane had a detrimental effect on the long-term durability of the film. -- AATA