THE WOODSTONE COMPANY
P.O. Box 223, Patch Road Custom Manufacturing Main Office (802) 722-9217
Westminster, VT 05158 Traditional & Contemporary
High Performance Facsimile (802) 722-9528
http://www.woodstone.com
Wooden Windows, Doors & Architectural Millwork Email: info@@woodstone.com
Since 1978
Care & Maintenance of Clear Wood Finishes
Clear finishes are usually specified for window and door applications in order
to retain the natural appearance of the wood used in fabrication of Woodstone's
windows and doors. Natural appearances vary from a high gloss finish to a semi
gloss finish to a natural weathered appearance. When products leave Woodstone's
shop, the clear finish is typically applied to freshly milled lumber. Freshly
milled lumber demonstrates wood grain coloration that has not been oxidized by
sunlight (usually darkened, i.e. mahogany & cherry) or weathered gray by rain or water
splash. The natural weathered appearance of wood grain is therefore dependent
upon the wood species, the extent of exposure to the natural elements, the
number of coats of finish applied before the weathering process begins and the
frequency of refinishing. Weathered wood can usually be restored to its
original appearance by sanding the weathered surface,
exposing fresh wood grain and applying the appropriate number of refinish
coats.
Extreme weathering can result in open grain wood checks that allow
dirt and bacteria deep into the wood causing typically black discoloration. This
discoloration is especially typical at egress door sills and is virtually
impossible to remove without professional services using bleach and other
chemical solvents to penetrate into the open grain of the wood.
White Oak and Mahogany are typical open grained hardwood species
that demonstrate a high resistance to decay but are prone to deep discoloration
when allowed to weather. Cherry, on the other hand, also has a high resistance to decay
but is a much tighter grained wood species and is not as prone to open grain.
However, Cherry is not as hard as White Oak or Mahogany and will wear more in
egress sill conditions. Cherry and Mahogany are prone to accelerated oxidation
(darkening) by direct sunlight. For example, freshly milled Cherry and Mahogany
will show visible darkening in minutes when exposed to direct sunlight.
Pines and Cedars are also typically used to fabricate windows and
doors. However, Pines and Cedars are softwoods and typically not used when a
clear fresh wood appearance is required. Only hardwoods are used for egress
door sills.
Woodstone recommends clear finishes with Tung Oil as the primary
ingredient including Ultra Violet Light (UV) inhibitors to protect the finish
from breaking down in sunlight. Currently Woodstone recommends and uses
Waterlox Marine Finish for units specified with clear finishes.
Clearly, there can be no set rule of thumb established for the
maintenance of a given appearance.
Typically, Woodstone recommends at least one coat of Waterlox
Marine Sealer followed by two subsequent coats of Waterlox Marine Finish
applied during the fabrication process. Woodstone applies the first coat of
Marine Sealer and the first coat of Marine Finish before the window and door
units are fully assembled. This practice insures that all sides and ends of
each wooden component receive a coat of finish protection. Subsequent coats
should be applied as frequently as required to produce and maintain the natural
appearance desired.
For high gloss finishes intended to maintain as closely as
possible the appearance of freshly milled lumber, the more coats applied the
better. For example, wooden yacht manufacturers often recommend as many as 8 or
9 coats of finish initially followed by 2 or more refinish applications per
year. Windows and doors that are exposed to extreme water and sunlight
conditions require more finish than those installed in protected areas. Sills
typically require more maintenance than other parts of a window or door,
especially door sills that are subject to egress conditions.
If natural weathering is not an issue, Woodstone's typical factory
application of one coat Marine Sealer with two coats of Marine Finish is
sufficient to protect the integrity of the window or door assembly and function
for at least one year. Some movement in the wooden components may occur. But
the wood joinery and operating function should not be compromised.
Again, there can be no set rule of thumb established for the
maintenance of a given appearance.
The advantage to Waterlox Marine Finishes and other Tung Oil
derivatives is the flexible nature of the product. Unlike urethane, Waterlox
Marine can be spot refinished. Light sanding to exposed areas with the
application of additional coats of finish can be blended into the existing
finish without having to strip the entire unit. In extreme conditions
compatible oil based stains can be added directly to the Waterlox Marine Finish
to achieve the desired coloration.
The attached Waterlox Product Bulletins are enclosed for your
consideration. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact
Waterlox or Woodstone's Customer Service Department. For more information on
finishes, please refer to Woodstone's Installation Procedures, Paint Service
and Prime Paint Service documents.
Filename:
product\finishes\clear1
Last
Update: 7/12/96 HJE