Stainwork Outside
Posted on June 22, 2022
Anything that faces the elements is bound to take some wear and tear. But beautiful, finely finished stainwork is especially susceptible to damage and weathering. In this blog, we’ll address some of the root causes of this degradation and discuss some techniques to lengthen your stain’s lifespan.
The sun causes a lot of damage to wood. In addition to fading the color, it also causes your wood to expand and contract with the changing temperatures. This flexing causes the inflexible sheen to break down. Additionally, expanded wood allows for more moisture absorption which causes all sorts of trouble.
The best way to combat this is by properly prepping your wood before staining. First you should strip all damaged finishes. Specialty products are available that chemically treat your wood and remove the existing finish. From there, we recommend PPG Prolux Sickens Door and Window. In addition to its UV protecting properties, it’s also a stain and polyurethane coat in one.
We also recommend this product because it comes clear, but can be tinted for multiple stain colors. The color can also be intensified or layered to create a beautiful depth of color. Alternatively, if you like the color after a single coat, the following coats can simply be left clear for a lovely sheen. We recommend a total of three coats, but sometimes a fourth is needed.