Ecowoodoil - How to prepare weathered timbers for oiling

HOW TO GUIDES

PREPARING WEATHERED TIMBERS FOR OILING

This guide is relevant to external timbers that have been exposed to the weather. Restoring your weathered Deck, Cladding, Joinery, Garden Furniture or other Timbers is very simple with Ecowoodoil, and requires no expensive and potentially harmful chemicals.

For INTERNAL Timbers requiring a recoat, simply wipe over the surfaces with a solution of warm water and wood alcohol (methylated spirits). The use of a mild scourer will help with difficult to remove grime.

For EXTERNAL Timbers, it is a simple two step process of performing an Oil Absorption Test and then performing the "Wash Down" procedure. For severely weathered timbers, see the additional notes at the bottom of this page.

1 - OIL ABSORPTION TEST

It is recommended that you do a “Water Test” before you start. Splash water on to the timber and if the water is absorbed readily the timber is ready for the wash down and oiling.

If the water sits in “beads” on the timber’s surface (mainly due to the timber having been previously coated with a plastic film used by most other brands), then sanding off the remnants of the plastic film will be necessary.

2 - THE "WASH DOWN" PROCEDURE

Prior to any application of Ecowoodoil, including maintenance coats:

1. Wet the timber thoroughly

2. Mix a solution of an ALKALINE salts cleaner i.e Tricleanium as per directions on container OR Napisan Laundry Soaker (If using Napisan use 2 capfuls in a bucket of warm water). This diluted formula is far safer for your plants and pets than Oxalic Acid.

3. Apply to wet timber surface & agitate with a stiff bristle brush or broom. Allow to stand for 20-30 minutes before hosing off. Repeat wash down if seen to be necessary. If the timber is severely weathered or greyed, using a water blaster in place of a hose may be necessary.

4. Allow timber to dry for a minimum of 2-3 days in good drying conditions before applying oil.

5. Prior to applying Ecowoodoil, remember to follow the detailed instructions printed on the can of your specific product.

SEVERELY WEATHERED TIMBERS

TIMBER SURFACE IS BLACKENED

“Sooty Mould” is an airborne pollutant made up of dust, dirt & sugar extractives (Honey Dew from insects) which collects on bush & tree foliage.

This is then washed down by rain or carried in the wind onto your timbers, particularly following a long hot dry spell.

Sooty Mould is quite common and not only affects timber - the photo shows the mould on the doors of this car.

Other airborne pollutants can also have this effect, as anyone who lives in an apartment next to a major road would know

ADVICE : Wash all timber surfaces using “wash-down” procedure

GREY OR WEATHERED TIMBERS

This has simply been caused by a lack of regular maintenance. The rain & sun have eventually stripped the natural nutrients from the timbers

ADVICE : Wash all timber surfaces using “wash-down” procedure

ROUGH OR FURRY TIMBERS

This has been caused by extreme weathering due to a lack of regular maintenance. The timber’s fibres have become raised.

ADVICE : Wash all timber surfaces using “wash-down” procedure. After “wash-down” and the timber has dried completely (2 to 3 days), the timber will need to be sanded. For a superior finish, we suggest a final sanding with 220 grit paper.