Woodcare FAQs

March 20th, 2024

If you have a woodcare project and you’re not quite sure where to start, here’s our frequently asked questions to help you get going!

How do I preserve and treat timber?

The first thing you’ll need to consider is whether it is an interior or exterior project. If your timber is exposed to the elements, it will have a huge impact on your project. Ensuring you have chosen products specifically suited to interior or exterior jobs is crucial to ensure a long-lasting, quality finish.

What kind of woodcare finishes are available?

There are eight types of woodcare finishes:

Oils, wax and polish nourish the wood and bring out the beauty of bare timber.
Varnishes and preservatives protect timber.
Wood dyes and stains changes the colour of the timber.
Paint and primer/undercoats cover imperfections and can transform old wood.

Depending on the nature of the project and your desired final look, this will help you determine the right finish or finishes for you.

Find out more about woodcare finishes here>>

What’s the best way to prepare wood?

If you’re looking to transform timber with an existing coating, it’s really important to know what type of coating is already on the wood. Some woodcare finishes are incompatible with each other so if you’re unsure, sanding back to bare wood is the best course of action. You are then able to clean and degrease before starting your chosen system.

For bare or new timber, make sure you use knotting solution to stop any resin from seeping out over time and ensure you follow the correct system according to the chosen product’s technical data sheet. This will tell you whether you need to prime and/or undercoat before applying a topcoat.

How do I decide on a colour?

With woodcare finishes, colours can vary depending on the type of wood you’re looking to coat. If you are treating pine for example, using an oak stain will not have the same colour outcome as using an oak colour stain on oak wood.

Clear lacquers and varnishes can also alter the wood’s natural colour so it’s important you look at colour samples in store and test the product before committing to the whole project. Osmo, Sadolin, and Ronseal are all available in smaller amounts, allowing you to test colour and finish.

How do I paint wood?

Once you have prepared the timber, ensure you follow the recommended system as you would with any substrate. Use synthetic paint brushes for water-based paints and bristle brushes for oil-based paints.