What is a Woodstain?

Woodstains combine resins and natural pigments to provide a durable and protective coating which helps to prolong the life of exterior timber and enhance its natural beauty.

When should I use a Woodstain?

When staining exterior timbers, you need to know whether it is softwood or hardwood you are treating. Hardwoods will generally have different coating requirements to softwoods and the initial timber shade will affect the final colour when using semi-transparent products.

Woodstains offer a practical alternative to traditional paint finishes with three main advantages:-

• Maintenance is normally achieved using only one product.
• Woodstains have greater resistance to cracking, peeling and flaking so that your wood looks good for longer.
• Woodstains weather by natural erosion and therefore require less maintenance preparation than paint finishes.

What is a Varnish?

A varnish will provide a tough protective coating that resists knocks, scuffs and household spills. Most varnishes are available in either a clear or coloured finish.

What causes peeling and flaking?

Inadequate preparation of the timber surface prior to the application of coatings is the major cause of peeling and flaking of finishes. This is a result of poor adhesion of the coating.

What causes blistering?

Trapped moisture can lead to blistering if the wood surface was insufficiently dry when the coating was applied. Excessive resin bleed can also blister coatings. This is especially common with dark coatings on south facing resinous timbers.

Do I need to use a timber preservative before I stain my wood?

Many hardwoods (e.g. oak, teak and iroko) are naturally durable and have their own resistance to rot and decay. Most softwoods and "cheaper" hardwoods are not durable and must be treated with a preservative if they are to be used outside. Some of these timbers are treated in the factory to stop them rotting, but if this is not done, a preservative pre-treatment must be used.

I don't want to colour the wood, I just want to protect it from the weather. What should I use?

The recent launch of Sadolin Clear Coat means that this is now possible without compromising on the protection of the underlying timber surface from the damaging effects of sunlight (and ultra violet light in particular). Sadolin Clear Coat offers a clear, waterproof protection without significantly altering the colour of the timber surface.

My windows are now very dark. I like the wood stain finish but would like a lighter shade.

In order to highlight the natural features of timber, woodstains are translucent. The final shade achieved is a combination of the colour of the surface to which they are applied and their own pigmentation. A light coloured wood stain onto a dark surface will therefore always allow the dark colour to be seen. To achieve a lighter shade requires either stripping of the existing finish and re-coating, or the application of an opaque, paint-like coating such as Sadolin Superdec.

How much woodstain will I need to treat my windows and doors?

On average, every litre of woodstain will give two coats, indoors and out, on two doors or four windows.

Does the colour guide accurately represent the colour I will get on my wood?

The colour guide is only a general guide to the shade which will be achieved. The following factors all affect the final colour:

• The natural colour of the wood and any existing coating.
• The texture and absorption of the surface.
• The way the products are applied.
• The build of the product used (eg. Sadolin Classic vs Sadolin Extra)

How do I remove spillage?

Care should be taken to avoid spillages onto glass, cement, brickwork, carpets, clothing etc. If spilled, solvent-borne coatings should be removed immediately while wet using white spirit. Water-borne coatings should be removed using a warm detergent solution. Once dry, the coatings will be very difficult to remove without damage to the surface.

I want to stain a fence which will then have plants growing against it. I want something which will not harm the plants.

Water-borne woodstains are ideal for use on fencing and are not harmful to plants or the majority of animals. Solvent-borne woodstains are also suitable and when dry are harmless to plants. In a wet state, the solvent may cause leaves to die, but unless a considerable amount is spilt onto the plant, permanent damage is not likely to occur.

My fence was dry and ready for staining, then it rained heavily for a whole day. Can I stain it straight away, or do I have to wait?

Although timber is a porous, absorbent substrate, it will not "soak" up water like a sponge and therefore although the surface may be wet, the main body of the timber is likely to be dry. While it is difficult to be precise, two good drying days should be adequate. If rainfall has been for a longer period, as much as one week or more of dry weather may be necessary for the moisture content of the timber to reach an acceptable level before coating.

I have used another woodstain in the past, can I now use Sadolin to redecorate?

Providing the surface is sound, there will be no problems in applying these woodstains. Any peeling or flaking areas must be removed, and any bare timber thoroughly sanded back to clean, bright wood. Bare areas should be patch primed with a basestain such as Sadolin Classic to even up the colour, and then one or two coats of Sadolin Extra can be applied.