Once the wood is dry, apply a thin layer of sealer with a brush or roller. Make sure to cover all sides of the wood, including any hard-to-reach areas. Allow the sealer to dry completely before using or handling the wood. Depending on the type of sealer you use, this could take anywhere from 24 hours to a few days.
Sealing your outdoor wood once or twice a year - depending on your climate conditions - is important to maintaining the quality, and re-staining helps maintain its style. You could even try different colors of stain for a different look each year.
While many deck contractors don't want to seal a newly installed wood deck, we recommend that you seal your deck within roughly 1-3 months of installation. This will protect the wood, enhance the natural wood grain, and preserve it for years to come.
Pro tip: “The bead test” is a simple way to check if your wood is ready to be sealed. Pour a small amount of water on your deck. If the water beads up, there's still some moisture in the wood. If the deck absorbs the water, then it's dry enough to be sealed.
Ideal Conditions are 70 degrees F and 50% humidity.
For chairs, benches, chests and other such pieces, 1 to 2 coats should do the trick. Any wooden pieces that will be used outdoors or under a covered porch should only have "spar varnish" or "boat varnish" applied. Never more than 3 coats.
While it's recommended that the overall temperature be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit before sealcoating can begin, the best weather for this process is in the range of 75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
If water droplets are absorbed, it is time to seal, stain or paint your wood. You can stain or paint pressure treated wood. You can also seal this wood with a water repellent. In fact, we highly recommend it.
The main difference between an undercoat, sealer, and primer is that primers are applied to new surfaces, while sealers are applied before a primer or as a substitute for a primer. An undercoat is typically used on a surface that was previously painted.
The drying time for wood after sealing and sanding depends on factors like humidity, temperature, and type of sealant used. Generally, allow at least 24 to 48 hours for the sealant to cure and the wood to fully dry before applying additional coats or handling the finished piece.
Lumber that's too wet won't absorb paint, stain or sealer and the finish won't adhere properly to the wood surface. In addition, covering the wood too soon can interfere with the pressure treatment protection.
Wood Oils. Wood oil has a long history of protecting wood, dating back centuries. It seeps into the wood, creating a barrier against water and restoring its natural oils. There are several types of wood oils available, including linseed oil, tung oil, and danish oil (a mix of linseed and tung oils).
Sanding sealer should be applied after the wood has been sanded down to a bare finish, but before the topcoat (such as paint).
We believe that building with wood is an opportunity to create pieces that are simultaneously functional and artistic. In light of that, we prefer sealing over coating. Sealing wood protects wood from moisture and brings out its natural beauty at the same time. Sealer also allows wood to age gracefully.
Wood, while inherently sturdy, can weaken when exposed to moisture over time. Without the protective barrier provided by sealing and treating, water from precipitation can infiltrate the wood, initiating a process of softening and weakening that ultimately culminates in potential collapse.
Sealant is used as a filler for holes, cracks and joints. It is usually used as a form of protection from water or dust. Sealer is a preparative layer for walls before painting. It helps level uneven and porous surfaces, so paint can glide on easier (and last longer!).
Before you begin sealing wood, make sure that wood is clean and sanded. Sanding opens up the pores to receive more sealant.
What happens if you don't prime bare wood is not pretty. Similar to new drywall, raw wood soaks up paint like a sponge. As a result, your surface will look blotchy since pores in the woodwork unevenly absorb the paint. More importantly, the painted wood will likely peel in two or three years without primer.
As soon as the wood is porous enough to accept the stain, paint or sealant, it is ready for application. Typically, treated wood will dry and be ready for finishing 60 days after installation.
On new pressure treated lumber, please allow 30 days before applying Thompson's WaterSeal Wood Sealers. Always perform the splash test before sealing wood. If water absorbs within 5 seconds after you've sprinkled it on the surface, the wood is porous and considered ready to be sealed.
If your concrete is new, you'll need to let it cure; wait at least one month before applying sealer. Before you apply it, check the weather. Sealer needs to be applied in dry conditions because it won't adhere to damp concrete.
In some cases, a residential driveway will only need one coat of sealant. However, if the asphalt sealcoating has never been sealed before, it may take a second coat to give it the rich, deep finish that most homeowners prefer. A second coat may also be indicated if there is some “unraveling” of the asphalt.
The most important rule to remember is that less is more. It's best to apply two thin coats, making sure the sealer doesn't puddle or form uneven, thick areas. When applying a second coat of sealer, apply it in the opposite direction (or perpendicular) to the first coat to ensure even coverage.