| Quick
Reference Guide for Maintaining or Refinishing Exterior Wood |
|
Product
Info / Exterior Finish
/ Quick Reference Guide
Wood begins
to exhibit the effects of weathering almost immediately after the tree
is felled. Your log home or wood deck won't be there in 20 years if
you don't have a regular maintenance program to stay ahead of Mother
Nature. If you have let your exterior wood maintenance schedule lag
it is time to get busy and do some catching up. The best news is that,
in most cases, you can bring wood back. The key is to "Begin with
the end in mind!" This quick reference guide will help you know
where you are and what you need to do to keep your wood free of problems
and looking good.
NEW
WOOD: Decks, Logs, Siding, Fences The first and best opportunity
to do it right
| Cleaning |
Prep |
Coating |
Maintenance |
| 1A,
1B, 1E, 1F, 1G |
2A |
3A,
3B |
4A
|
RESTORATION
OF EXTERIOR WOOD: When maintenance wasn't done in a timely
fashion
| Cleaning |
Prep |
Coating |
Maintenance |
| 1C,
1D, 1E, 1G, 1F |
(1H),
2B, 2C, 2A |
3A,
3B |
4A
|
WOOD
ROOFS: if done regularly they will last indefinitely
| Cleaning |
Prep |
Coating |
Maintenance |
| 1A,
1D, 1F, 1G |
1H,
2A |
3A,
3B |
Repeat
process every 5-7 years |
KEY
Always
practice safety. Wear respiratory protection masks and eye protection
when de-felting, sanding or spraying anything. Read and follow all directions
on any cleaners or coatings you use. Use fall protection when walking
on roofs.
| 1A |
Apply
Wood Iron Maintenance Cleaner and water solution. Broom horizontal
surfaces. |
|
1B |
Rinse
with a garden hose and spray nozzle or a pressure washer with low
pressure. |
| 1C |
Apply
Wood Iron Stain Remover step 1. Broom horizontal surfaces. Power
wash to remove failed finish. |
| 1D |
Power
wash at 2,000 psi pressure. Use warm water if possible. Don't walk
on wet shingles or shakes. |
| 1E |
Neutralize
cleaned surface using Wood Iron Brightener, step 2. |
| 1F |
Sanitize
fungus and algae with Milgo Plus solution. Allow time for solution
to work. |
| 1G |
Rinse
thoroughly |
| 1H |
Decks - Replace top railing and rotten boards. Roofs - Replace broken
shingles and ridge cap if necessary. Siding - Replace or secure
loose boards. Logs - Replace rotten logs |
| 2A |
Mask
surfaces not receiving a finish. Place drop clothes on walkways.
Move cars if spraying. |
| 2B |
De-felt
wood fibers using scrubber pads or a stiff broom (wear a dust mask!). |
| 2C |
Lightly
sand with the grain using a random orbital sander (36-50 grit) or
sanding sponges. |
| 3A |
Read
directions on Wood Iron Wood Finish. Apply according to directions. |
| 3B |
Plan
coating to avoid coating in direct sun by starting on the west and
moving to north to east to south by the days end. Apply by brush,
spray or roll. Coat to saturate. Follow all spray application by
back brushing except roofs. All restored wood will usually require
two coats, except roofs. Never walk on oily wood roofing. |
| 4A |
Seasonal
cleaning with mild maintenance cleaner. Rinse with a garden hose
and nozzle. Treat with sanitizer solution if needed. Light maintenance
coatings as needed. |
Notice
that when wood is new, prepared and finished correctly with a quality
finish you get started in the right direction. The alternative is restoration.
At least you have a map as to how to do that if you need to. The key
is that once you get it right some regular maintenance will keep your
exterior wood looking good. It is worth it. One note on quality of exterior
cleaners and finishes. Choose Wood Iron. The Wood Iron line has been
tested and proven to work by wood restoration specialists for the last
decade. If they trust these products, you can too!
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