New wood is usually machine-finished and is almost ready as it is - already smooth and clean.
Interior surfaces start wearing with use.
Exterior surfaces deteriorate with sun exposure and weather causing the Woodoc coat to eventually biodegrade.
Exterior varnish-coated wood (or painted) that has weathered and needs to be removed.
Wood that has been exposed to the elements through lack of a protective coating, poor maintenance or negligance so that the coating has badly deteriorated.
Always ensure that the wood is completely dry before working with it, otherwise the sealer won't dry properly.
When sanding and smoothing wood, it is important to always work with the grain.
Clean off well with a cloth or clean, dry paint brush and remove all dust. Any dust left on the surface will give the next coat a rough finish.
Woodoc Exterior Sealers biodegrade at the end of their lifecycle. They don't crack or flake.
To prepare a weathered Woodoc finish for refurbishing simply clean it down thoroughly using Woodoc SteelWool and mineral turpentine. As a final preparation clean the surface with a cloth soaked in mineral turpentine to get rid of any dust or loose particles.
Resealing the cleaned surface will protect it and bring it back to life.
Varnished surfaces left too long before renovation, become brittle and then crack and flake. This leads to peeling and exposure of the wood which in turn results in weathering and blackening. For treatment please refer to the Blackened Wood-section below. If the wood is not weathered or blackened, continue with the steps in this section.
If the old surface coating is loose it can be removed with a scraper followed by coarse sand paper. The scraper should have a straight sharp edge. Always work with the grain. Never force the scraper down on the wood. Use a chemical stripper only if necessary. Follow the instructions on the pack. Once the surface has softened it can be removed with a scraper.
The dry and repaired wood must be smoothed down. Use sand paper around a block, starting from a coarse grit working down to fine. Keep the block flat and work with the grain. Woodoc SteelWool works exceptionally well for the final smoothing process. Unclog the sandpaper and Woodoc SteelWool as you go along and clear the dust from the surface.
Once the wood is smooth, dust- and particle-free and dry, it is ready for sealing.
Wood that is weather damaged and has blackened, can be brought back to life using Woodoc Wood Reviver by following these steps:
All metal parts must be removed OR coated with petroleum jelly or grease to avoid damage by Wood Reviver.
Follow the steps in the section Damaged Surfaces to remove the old and damaged surface coating.
Once the surface debris has been removed, it can be restored with Woodoc Wood Reviver. Woodoc Wood Reviver has full mixing instructions on the packaging. Follow them and be sure to wear the protective gloves. Scrub the surface thoroughly with the solution.
Once the Woodoc Wood Reviver has removed all the blackened areas, wash the wood down thoroughly with water. Clean any petroleum jelly or grease protection from the metal parts. Let the wood dry completely. Recommended 2-3 days in warm sunny weather, before proceeding with the next step.
Follow the procedure for smoothing the wood for sealing under the Damaged Surfaces-section.
Provided that the surface was not too damaged and the Woodoc Wood Reviver was correctly applied, the wood surface will look like new again once a Woodoc Sealer is applied.
When selecting a Woodoc Sealer, make sure that you use the correct sealer.
Indoor Sealers
for inside applications. They are hard-wearing and household-damage-resistant.
Exterior Sealers
for outside applications. They are UV- and weather-resistant.
Floor Sealers
for all wooden floors. They are hardwearing and flexible.
If the brush is not new, make sure that it is clean, flexible and dry. It is recommended that a good quality, long-haired brush is used. Size is important. As a guide use:
An overloaded brush leads to runs & spills. It is not necessary to dip the brush deeper than a third of the bristle length into the Woodoc Sealer. For small and delicate work, even as little as 2 mm is enough.
Always apply the first coat liberally, touching up spots that become dull within 10 minutes* to achieve an evenly wet surface. *If the wood is dry and porous, keep applying the first coat until the wood remains evenly wet for 10 minutes.
It is recommended that three good coats of Woodoc Sealer are applied to achieve the best finish and protection of the wood. Allow the first coat to dry hard and then smooth it down with Woodoc SteelWool. This smoothing down is important to key the surface for the next coat. Clean off the dust and any other loose matter before proceeding.
Apply the second and third coats with long light strokes, coating the surface well with Woodoc Sealer. Keeping the surface evenly wet will give the best results. Smooth the surface down after the second coat, but not the third.
Ideal for cleaning grey or blackened decks, fences and other exterior wood. Can be used on all types of wood .
When sanding and smoothing wood it is important to always work with the grain.
Makes 1 litre of Wood Reviver. Just add warm water.
Use the protective gloves and pour in the crystals.
Fill the container with warm tap water and dissolve the crystals.
Use the wooden spatula to stir - DO NOT use any metal and avoid contact with hands or skin.
Work the solution into the wood with the scrubbing brush. Treat all the wood to ensure an even appearance. Wash down with plenty of water. Repeat process if necessary.
Note: This is not a paint stripper. The wood will be rough after treatment with this product and must be sanded until smooth. When sanding and smoothing wood, it is important to always work with the grain.