The effectiveness of a water repellent treatment consisting of a pigmented, oil-modified alkyd resin primer mixed with varying amounts of paraffin wax was studied by measuringthe contact angle of water on treated wood and by measuring the penetration of water into the wood capillaries. The water repellent effects increased with increasing paraffin content. The behaviour of the treated wood during weathering, and the effects on adhesion and on drying of lacquers, were examined. -- AATA