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Prominent Woodpro seals with a kiss

Wood projects require special care for ultimate protection. Prominent Woodpro seals with a kiss.

 

Protecting wood

Constant exposure to the elements can severely damage unprotected wood, causing it to warp or become discoloured. Wood, whether use for doors, window frames, or furniture - requires regular maintenance to protect against the harsh South African sun, wind and rain. Wood expands during the heat of the day and contracts when it cools down and it is these continual changes that have damaging effects on unprotected wood. Wood not been properly protected and regularly maintained becomes warped and cracked and is susceptible to mould growth and decay.

The natural beauty of wood can enhance the interior of your home or outdoor area and even increase the value of your property. Choosing a wood care solution from Prominent Paints’ Woodpro range by PPG, a world leader in coatings, is the first step to protecting your investment – indoors or out. Here are some tips on proper care and maintenance.

Surface preparation:

Good surface preparation can make or break your project, so spend time on this fundamental first step:

  • • Make sure the surface is clean, dry and free from any loose or flaking material before application of any product.
  • • For new wood, use 240-grit sandpaper, working with the grain of the wood to sand to a smooth finish.
  • • On both interior and exterior wood use a suitable-grade wood filler to seal small holes and cracks to smooth things over before sealing. Use a fingertip to carefully pack the wood filler in, mounding it slightly to allow for shrinkage as it dries. Sand smooth once dry. If you are staining the wood dark - use a dark-tinted wood filler to match the finish.
  • • Remove all loose particles with a brush or damp cloth.

Surface Sealing:

Properly prepare and apply sealer correctly:

  •  Don’t varnish on wet damp days - it takes much longer for the sealer to dry and a longer drying time for sealer isn't good, as dust will settle on and spoil the finish.
  • Do not apply sealer in temperatures below 15.5°C or above 32°C. The ideal temperature is 21°C. When it’s too cold drying time could be extended and when it’s too hot, it will dry too quickly. It may also result in bubbles in the finish.
  • Apply a coat of Prominent Paints Woodpro environmentally friendly, lead-free, non-yellowing sealer to nourish, seal and protect. Only apply in thin coats and spread evenly and quickly along the grain of the wood making sure all surfaces are evenly covered.
  • When applying a sealer directly over sanded wood, more than one coat may be necessary to close the pores completely.
  • The end colour result will be determined by the type of wood you are sealing - whether hard or softwoods. Very porous woods may need several coats for sealer. Hardwoods dry to a darker finish than softwoods. Meranti, oak and maple are not as porous as softwoods but must still be sealed to prevent damage from some moisture absorption. Softwoods like pine, cedar and redwood are very porous and easily absorb moisture. They must be properly sealed for protection.
  • Allow the sealer to dry to a natural matt effect for four hours between coats and for best results, sand the wood between coats using 280 to 320 grit sandpaper and then apply another coat.

Previously Treated Wood:

  • Sand the old finish back down to the natural wood, then follow the steps applied for new wood.

Application tips:

  • Wet several long strips of newspaper and place it on the glass when sealing window frames. The newspaper will easily adhere to the glass surface to keep the sealer off the glass, and is much easier to remove than tape.
  • Use a flat paddle to mix your sealer. This will mix the sealer’s particles more thoroughly than a cylindrical tool like a dowel stick or rod.

For more see www.prominentpaints.co.za  for a stockist near you.