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Caring for Your Interior Timber

What timber suppliers in Brisbane and Sydney want you to know about taking care of your timber.

Stains, finishes and sealers can all help you ensure that your timber stays as good as new for a long time. Splitting, rotting and warping can ruin your timber if you don’t start taking care of it as soon as you put it into use. Here are some tips for maintaining various applications of timber.

Interior Timber Care

If you have end grain, such as what you will find on turned legs, a louvre door or larger surfaces, a sealer is recommended. If you are using a satin or glass stain, a sealer will greatly enhance its longevity. For unfinished surfaces, a sanding sealer is quick drying and can be brushed on. It fills in the grain on unfinished timber, effectively sealing it. It can also raise the grain, which enhances the finish when sanded.

Interior Timber Finishes

No matter what finish you use, preparation is the key. It is important to remove all grease, wax or oil. This can be done with steel wool and mineral spirits. Be sure to wipe off the excess before continuing.

When the surface is prepped, apply either two coats or three coats of interior gloss finish, depending on appearance after the second coat. Between coats, sand with 240 grade sandpaper. Allow the final coat to sit for at least 24 hours; this gives it plenty of time to harden.

Some other hints: when coating a large surface, make sure you keep a “wet edge.” Also, be sure not to go over any of the surface twice within one coat. This could produce a lumpy, uneven coat despite sanding.

Interior Wood Stains

We love interior wood stains as a way of enhancing any wood surface. They can make cheaper timber look expensive. They can change the colour of any piece of timber. They can also be used to strengthen the existing colour of a timber piece. Best of all, they change the colour but leave the grain of the wood visible.

Applying Interior Pigment Wood Stains

An interior pigment wood stain is used to “even out” a finish with spotty colours. To apply, first shake the can thoroughly. Then, use a cloth pad to apply the stain in a circular motion. Let it stand for one to three minutes, then wipe vigorously with a clean cloth pad. Make sure to stain areas that are small enough that you can wipe them before excess stain dries on the surface.

When finished, remember that it will take at least four hours for your stain to dry thoroughly enough to cover it with a clear finish. We recommend waiting even longer. Better safe than sorry.

Applying Interior Fade Resistant Wood Stain

Interior fade resistant stain is usually used on cabinets. It is not recommended for use on pine, oak or ash timber. Fade resistant stain should be tested on a scrap of the timber you will be staining to make sure that the colour isn’t too strong. If it is too strong, cut the stain with a special reducer that is made for fade resistant stain.

To apply, use a brush or a cloth pad and apply a very liberal coat. It is important that you don’t apply too thin a coat, as this can cause streaking. Then, use a clean pad along the grain to even out the colour or amount of stain. Wait for four hours or longer for drying.

Clear Finish for Timber Floors

To apply a clear finish to a timber floor, you will want to sand it until it is totally smooth. If the floor has had previous applications of wax or any finish, it should be sanded back to a bare state. After the floor has been thoroughly vacuumed and wiped, apply two or three coats according to the directions supplied by the manufacturer. Like other wood finishes, you should let your floors dry for at least 24 hours before walking on them.

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To learn more, call us on 1300 477 024.