How To Weatherproof Wood: Guide To Easy Waterproofing

If you do not weatherproof wood products, you may experience how its surface will crack and warp. To extend the life of your product, you can use a waterproofing product. There are several types of products that can help you process wood.

Maybe you have questions like “How to treat wood for outdoor use?” We advise you to review all the wooden products you use outdoors to waterproof them. The ingress of water on a wooden surface spoils the quality of such a product and its appearance. It is especially true for outdoor products, like a patio, which you often take out to the street. It makes sense to hydrolyze even a board for cutting food. After all, it, too, often gets wet.

We know about the two best ways to waterproof wood products. It includes applying oil and sealant.

In our article, we will show you detailed instructions on how to waterproof wood in both ways.

How to Seal the Wood With Oil?

It is the first waterproofing method you can use. In this case, you can use linseed, walnut, and tung oil. Waterproofing wood with oil can be divided into several stages. We have prepared a small instruction, following which you can waterproof the tree with oil.

1. Buy oil

Here you need to think carefully about which wooden surfaces you want to treat with oil. Use an exterior stain and sealant for a large project, such as a patio deck. The oil works well on small wooden objects such as a cutting board, table, countertop, or baseball bat.

2. Determine the number of items you want to waterproof

Make a list of the wood items you want to craft. So you can more accurately calculate how much oil you need.

3. Make an oil mixture

Mix one part oil, one part turpentine, and ½ part apple cider vinegar. This solution will save your oil supply and create a stronger finish. Use a metal container to mix the ingredients.

4. Prepare the wood before applying the oil.

Any unevenness will be more visible after applying the oil. Use thick sandpaper and remove any unevenness you see on the wood. After that, sand the entire surface with fine-grained sandpaper. Dry the wood with a cloth.

5. Wear thick rubber gloves when handling turpentine

Apply the first coat of oil to a non-rough rag. Rub the oil into the grain, moving from the inside out. Do not touch the oil until it has dried. You want an even layer.

6. Leave the oil to dry for half an hour

Then, wipe the surface with a clean cloth to remove excess oil. Leave the wood to dry overnight. After the wood has dried, rub it with a dry silencer and apply two layers of oil in turn. In the same way, leave the tree to dry for a day and sand the surface. 

After the oil has dried, wait another week or so before using this wood.

How to Seal the Wood With Sealants?

It is another way to waterproof your tree. Before proceeding with this method, level the surface. Using a sealer for waterproofing works well with treated wood. Use the following steps to get the best waterproofing with sealant:

1. Buy a water-based wood sealant

You can find this product at home improvement stores. Most often, such products are called Water Seals or Stain Sealers. Sealants are often distinguished by the type of wood you will apply them. So, you can find sealant for patios, fences, exteriors, floors, and even furniture.

2. Apply an even layer of sealant

Using a brush, apply the sealant to your wood in an even layer. The temperature in the environment in which you are working with wood at the moment should be acceptable. Otherwise, the sealant may evaporate too quickly. It works best in a garage.

3. Let the wood dry after applying the sealant

Read the instructions on the sealant package for the exact drying time of the sealant. It usually takes up to ten hours.

4. Remove the first layer of sealant

You can do this with sandpaper if your caulk’s instructions say so. We recommend doing this after your tree is completely dry.

5. Apply a few more layers of sealant

You may need two to three coats if your product is made from softwood. In the case of hard rocks, one is enough.

6. Apply sealer to your wood furniture every few years

Leave the tree alone for a while. Let at least a few days pass before you start using your product.

How to Seal the Wood With Stain?

It is another way to waterproof wood that you can use. If you need to treat outdoor wood, buy a wood stain designed for outdoor use. Light stain options are suitable for wood surfaces that are used indoors or for those that will not be permanently outdoors.

You can find any type of stain that suits you at a hardware or repair store. So, if you want to seal the wood with a stain, follow these steps:

1. Prepare your wood surface

Before starting work, you should consider that all the defects on the surface of the tree will be more noticeable after staining. This product, which we have chosen for waterproofing wood, will bring out all the colors in it. Therefore, take thick sandpaper or a metal file and smooth out all the bumps on the surface of your wooden product. Then sand the wood with fine sandpaper (220). So you will be able to apply the paint more evenly.

Wipe your tree with a dry cloth

Note that before applying paint, your tree must be dry.

2. Apply the first coat of paint

Do this with a brush, applying the product in an even layer. Apply the stain to the entire surface of your wood product and allow it to dry. Drying time will vary from four hours to a day.

3. Remove all unnecessary

Again, take fine-grained sandpaper and treat the surface with it. Then clean the surface with a rag. Before applying the second coat, ensure your wood product is dry and clean.

4. Apply a second coat of stain

The second layer will take a little longer to dry than the first. You should let it dry completely. Five hours after you’ve stained the wood a second time, go over it with a rag to see if the fabric sticks to the wood. If there is no adhesion, then the second layer of stain is dry, and you can continue to work on it.

5. Apply a third coat of stain

Repeat the same steps you did for the second coat of stain. At this stage, you should proceed very carefully. Apply the stain carefully and evenly. Once you’re done, let the wood dry for three days to a week before using it.

So, in our article, we explained to you how to weatherproof wood. We have given you the essential rules for processing wood to make it waterproof. Although both sealant and oil can work well, you should not let your woodwork get wet all the time. Wipe your tree dry after every contact with water.

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