I want to paint a half wine barrel and plant it. I'm using acrylic craft paint, not stain, and am thinking I need to prime the wood first before painting, then perhaps polyurethane over the acrylic.

I did one other barrel with stain and it has lasted years, but this time I wanted chartreuse on it, and can't find it in a stain naturally, hence the paint.

has anyone done this? I"m tempted to apply the paint directly to the wood but figure it will peel.

Thanks.