The invention provides a novel product and method to coat wood and wood composite products and improves their durability and service life in outdoor conditions. The method comprises coating a Type I waterborne adhesive, crosslinking polyvinyl acetate (XPVAc or x-PVAc), on wood and applying sufficient heat to dry and cure the coating to form a durable bond on wood or wood composites. The above paint system consists of at least two coating layers, in which both layers are crosslinking polyvinyl acetate coating. Alternatively, crosslinking polyvinyl acetate can be used as a primer, while the second or the third layer uses an acrylic, alkyd, or other water resistant coating. This coating approach results in a durable wood or wood composite product due to the excellent bonding with the wood substrate and the excellent water blocking by crosslinking polyvinyl acetate.