6 Wood Finishing Myths You Should Stop Believing

Time and material cost spent in a woodworking project have the ability to turn the final finishing stage into a stressed situation. There are range of ideas you can click when concerned about finishing. Take a look at the usual wood finishing myths along with the actual concepts. Do read it, as you may come across some really useful details about wood finishing products.

1. Myth:Finishing on both sides of wood prevents or decreases warping.
   Fact: Finishing only slows but doesn’t reduce or prevent warping that results from wood shrinking. This is because moisture vapor goes through the finish and leads to warping up to an extent. Warping that’s caused by compression shrinkage on areas open to wetting & drying are not hindered.

2. Myth: For better results, sand to #440 or finer grit.
   Fact: Wood sanded to #440-grit has high gloss as compared to wood sanded to #180-grit, as #440-grit polishes more than #180-grit. However, no major difference is seen after application of any film finish. How about trying it and seeing how many hours you save.

3. Myth:Slow brushing leads to best results.
   Fact: Slow performance isn’t appreciated anywhere. Hence, brushing needs to be done rapidly. Make sure maintaining the control.

4. Myth:Brush should be applied across the grain first and then with the grain.
   Fact: You can opt for slow-curing finishes, like varnishes. Though you may get a coat that’s little more even in thickness but it won’t be visible.

5. Myth:The longer deck stain colors are left on the wood, the deeper they soak in the wood and the darker the wood turns.
   Fact: Yes, wood turns darker when stain is left for longer but the reason is different. Actually, some of the thinner in the stain evaporates, which increases the ratio of colorant to liquid. With high concentrations of colorant, darker colors are produced.

6. Myth:Apply and wipe off stain with the grain.
   Fact: When excess stain is wiped off, direction of stain application doesn’t matter. Also, it doesn’t matter in which direction stain is wiped off. What matters is making final pass with the grain, to ensure that streaks left are not noticeable.

Stop following anything you just hear from someone. Trust the proven results that have been explained to you quite clearly. Good luck!

 

The Role Of Temperature In Staining Outdoor Wood With Perfection

Nobody could ever deny the importance of staining his outdoor wood assets. From decks and patios to benches and railings everything should be treated with superior quality of wood finishing products. It is essential not only for defending them from decay but also they appear as beautiful as new after this.

When homeowners are keen to add to the curb appeal of their property they can select the best from variety of deck stain colors and apply them on the lumber. For staining you can hire professionals or you may keep the job with you if you have got the right tools, enough patience and time and most importantly knowledge of temperature.

Did you read it right? Was it knowledge of temperature? Yes it is all about temperature at the time when you took up the task of staining your external wood. For beginners it can be perfect to plan it on a weekend. After you get up late in the morning, naturally because it is a holiday, you spend some leisure time with your spouse and kids in preparing luxury breakfast. Post breakfast it may again take half an hour to one hour in collecting the things that will assist you in cleaning and staining your deck. Stop if it is already 1 or 2 in the clock. Many of you may ask why?

Well it is important to look for an ideal temperature so as to get the best staining results. For many homeowners it may come as a surprise that they should make use of deck sealer and stain after looking the weather forecast.

Noteworthy Points That Relate Temperature and Staining

1. High temperature may not be conducive for staining schedule as stain may dry too quickly. This will not allow penetration of stain deep into wood and therefore it is important to choose a day when temperature is either less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit or stain early in the morning.
2. A cloudy day is much better choice than a sunny day to stain your outdoor wood, but if rains are predictable refrain yourself from staining. Moisture and rain will not let the stain dry and it might get washed away with a pour.

 

Summer Special Tips For Staining Outdoor Wood

For deck owners summertime is deck time. Modern American homeowners understand the significance of their decks and patios. They are not mere extensions of your living space but they are perfect spots for all family gatherings and BBQs. This is possibly why they buy best of stain colors to beautify the wood decks and keep them in best state.

External wood especially that forms your deck is exposed to lot much of physical abuse. It is undoubtedly the highest traffic area of your house and is not spared from the Sun, wind, snow and much more on any given day.

What Comes Before Beautification of Deck?

Summer season is not difficult for human but for your wood too. While your expectations from your lumber patio and decks are high, they in turn need to be properly maintained and prepared for summer gatherings with the help of best quality of deck stain and sealer. You can do a lot like adding hanging pots to your deck for giving it a cool look. Some home owners prefer to shade it up with big and beautiful umbrellas while others bring some artificial fountains to give it special effects. From seating arrangements to lighting you can make it favorite spot for all because it is suitable to host friends’ reunion or family get together. But in absence of below mentioned small but very important steps it can all prove to be a failure.

Look out for dangerous signs. Your wood is subject to rotting and cupping. These when avoided can bring up the cases of injuries and tripping. Get them mended before you get into cleaning and staining your wood surface.

Ask questions to professionals. They know the best what kind of wood finishing products will suit the local climate. In many areas oil based premium wood deck finish will serve for two years or so.

Get engaged in cleaning. Don’t let the BBQ stains settle on wood surface. Clean the spills immediately as grease is not good for the finish. Make sure you don’t leave the debris over a week.

To help it look young and strong season after season you should do a lot when it comes to care and maintenance of timber deck.

Things To Do For Making Your Timber Deck Look New

A home with backyard deck is a dream for many Americans. Decks can be built in various materials like wood, composite decking boards and deck tiles. Nevertheless the beauty and charm of wood is incomparable to any other material. Decks give your home a stunning curb appeal and provide beautiful platform to host family gatherings on weekends. There is huge array of wood stain colors that can add to the attraction of your deck. Deck owners can pick any low VOC stain to apply on the newly constructed or old deck. The old decks do not look appealing and may make you feel ashamed before your guests.

The significance of taking care and maintaining wood deck is not limited to the appearance but a lot more deep. When a homeowner decides to construct deck he knows it is an investment. It can certainly increase the cost of property considerably and leaves a lasting impression on the on-lookers. You invest a big amount of money in its construction and forget it afterwards. It is a huge yet common mistake the deck owners do.

Your wood deck is exposed to many harmful elements and needs extra attention and care than any other wood surface. Thoughtfulness towards applying quality wood floor stains on regular intervals will prove to be very rewarding. Respecting the deck that receives lots of traffic everyday will enrich the wood and adds to the years of its life.

Quick Tips For Wood Deck Maintenance

Impose the tips given by deck experts and enjoy better lifespan of your beautiful deck.

• Dirty deck invites mold and mildew which can cause rot. Sweep your deck regularly to clear off the debris, dirt and dust etc. Follow it with cleaner to remove the tough stains. Remember to cover the flowers and other pots with cover.
• Clean the deck with help of pressure cleaner and let it dry for minimum 2 days before you seal the deck.
• Don’t do it when kids are around as they can get affected by the harsh chemicals used in making of stains and paints.
• Stay protected if you are carrying on the deck staining project.

 

New Solid Steps To Enriched Deck

Like every other part of your house, your wood deck also needs proper maintenance. Failure in protecting it from the harmful Sun rays would lead to before time fading of the wood’s natural shine and depreciate the life of the deck at the same time. It is important that you enhance the look of your deck with wood finish and increase the life of the wood.Staining is significant to complement the look of your home exterior. The wood stain colors impart beautiful colors to your deck floor and fences and also they protect the wood used in building the deck from rotting and warping. While building a deck, the deck owners should be aware of the fact that it will require regular maintenance such as staining.

What You Need To Know About Staining Deck?

Your deck is always exposed to the natural elements that are harsh enough to cause damages to the wood. It is not as simple as applying any exterior wood stain to your wood floor but it takes a lot more than this to protect your wood from the ill effects of them. It does not matter whether the deck is new or old when it comes to do the preparation for staining. You need to have a thoroughly cleaned surface to stain. Start from sweeping it and follow it with pressure clean. This should be aimed at removal of mill scale, mildew or mold accumulated on it. Old decks need special cleaning as the possibilities of accumulation of dirt and debris are much more than a new surface. Proper cleaning ensures that the wood floor stains are properly absorbed. It is equally important to leave the surface after the application of stain for minimum 24 hours to let the stain penetrate deep in the wood.

DIY Versus Experts

It is very much possible for you to stain your deck on your own. The only fact related to staining is that it needs high level of patience and professionalism to complete the job to the level of perfection. Years of experience with experts make them qualified for the job of staining.

Bring Colorless Wooden Surfaces To Life With The Right Stain Colors

Staining wood is not just a job to make the wooden stuff look appealing but also a colorful and fun experience. Choosing the right colors and working like a pro does not need any special trait, as it is all about playing with the right textures. Opacity and stain palettes are best to try when one is beginning their coloring journey.

When staining, it is very important to determine the appropriate opacity, as it ranges from lightly pigmented to complete coverage. Besides protecting the deck and wooden surface, they also enhance the overall look. ‘Mix and match’ is the best strategy for a smooth and pleasing curb appeal. One can explore the infinite world of wood stain colors and let their natural wood shine throughout. Simply cover the wood blemishes with the right grain colors and restore the new and attractive look forever.

How to stain a deck
When it comes to stain a deck, knowing the right technique plays a crucial role. If you are planning
to stain your deck, check out the helpful guidelines below:

1. Don’t powerwash: Powerwashing needs a very sharp eye and practice as well. This is because this technique when done improperly, results in gaps, splintering and warping.
2. Proper cleanliness: The surface should be cleaned thoroughly using a long arm brush and deck cleaner.
3. Let it dry: Dry the surface for at least two days to ensure moisture does not gets trapped while staining.
4. Begin with staining between the slats: For this, 2 edging pads with properly trimmed plastic edges are needed. Besides this, a paint tray and an extension pole are the other needed essentials. Place the edging pads opposite from each other and dip them in stain. Remember swiping in between slats. Now, use a roller and roll over the surface to prevent the paint drips from drying on the surface.
5. Stain the nails: Doing this is easy and less time consuming when staining the slats with the help of side of the roller.
6. Get the smooth finish: For the expected results, it is good to roll with an extension handle.

These simple steps will help you with the desired results besides improving the life of your deck.