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WATER REPELLANTS
Water-repellent (WR) preservatives of some types are formulated with non-drying oils. These oils penetrate the wood to protect it against degradation. The deck surface may remain oily until the finish absorbs, which may take several days.
Advantages of Water-Repellent Preservatives
- Retard decay in above-ground applications
- Decrease raised grain, checking, warping, and splitting
- Inhibit mildew growth on both painted and unpainted wood
- Retard iron stain
- Stop extractive bleed
- Improve paint adhesion
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A Water Repellent Preservative (WRP) is an effective finish
for a fully exposed deck. Although the deck will need to be
refinished frequently, there is no need for laborious surface
preparation, as is required by film-forming finishes. Annual
refinishing can be done quickly using a brush, roller, or pad.
Brush application works the finish into the wood better than
do the other methods. The finish should be applied liberally
to decay-prone areas around fasteners and end-grain.
Removal of Mold and Mildew
If mildew is present, pretreat the wood with a commercial cleaner or a chlorine bleach-water solution. Allow the wood to dry for 1 or 2 days before refinishing.
Removal of Mildew
Commercially available wood cleaners work quite effectively to remove mildew and other stains on wood. A mildew cleaner can also be made by dissolving 1 part liquid bleach and some powdered detergent in 2 to 4 parts water.
Suggested Formula:
1/3 cup household detergent
1 quart (5%) sodium hypochlorite (household bleach)
3 quarts warm water
Note: 1 cup =0.2 liter; 1 quart =0.9 liter
Caution: Do not use a detergent that contains ammonia; ammonia reacts with bleach to form a poisonous gas. Many liquid detergents may contain other additives that react with chlorine- containing bleach.
Service Life
The service life of WRs and WRPs is about 1 year on exposed wood surfaces. However, WRPs are extremely easy to reapply to some structures, such as decks. Water repellents and WRPs absorb readily into the end-grain of lumber and can stop water absorption for many years. |
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