Nothing is more beautiful than something that is beautifully crafted using wood. Let me tell you, the finest furniture and artworks are crafted from the finest material – the Wood!
But the sad reality is when you use wood without making it protective against wet and water, it constantly greets with a lot of moisture and humidity. Unfortunately, it results in swelling, rotting, and warping that completely spoils the whole vibe. Can you prevent this? Fortunately, there are ways to protect your wood while enhancing its beauty simultaneously.
How to Waterproof Wood?
There are mainly three preferred ways to waterproof the wood.
- Creating a protective hand-rubbed layer using wood oil, e.g, Tung oil, Linseed oil; or
- Sealing the wood with layers of polyurethane, supplemented by sealer, varnish, or lacquer; or
- Waterproofing and finishing the wood at the same time using a stain-sealant combo.
While choosing the correct method, take note of the kind of wood used to make the structure’s interior and exterior. Also, check if the wood is dark or light grained for better results. For details about the methods (how to make wood waterproof), continue reading!
Method 1: Create a Wood Oil Barrier Finish
The oil finish method is one of the oldest methods that work like a wonder to protect the wood. Linseed oil is derived from the two major ingredients – Tung oil and flax seeds. Tung oil is finely extracted from Tung trees that provide impressive improvements to the whole vanity. This formula has been used for centuries, and these oils protect dark grained woods and add a beautiful shine. To make it dry in less time and reduce the stickiness, you can mix it with other ingredients. You can buy blended linseed oil and tung oil or mix your own custom finish oil with polyurethane and mineral spirits.
Here is how to apply wood oil:
– Prepare the wood first:
For the dark grained wood, sand and clean it with a natural bristle paint brush. In the case of light wood, you can completely ignore this step.
– Time for oil:
Pour the oil evenly on the wood and let the blended oils soak deep onto the wood’s surface. Reapply the oil if you find any dry spots. Wipe away the residual oil and rub well with dry rages. Now, it’s time to completely dry the wood, which might take around a few hours or overnight, based on the type of oil mixture. Sand it lightly using fine sandpaper and repeat the process with additional coats until you achieve the desired finish.
You can feel free to experiment with the formula with few other oil blends for thicker products. You can reduce the amount of mineral spirit and polyurethane formula to achieve the right consistency. Adding more amounts of poly gives You glossy finish and also reduces the time of drying. Also, make sure to rub away the excess amounts of oil as it generates lots of heat.
Method 2: Use Sealants for Best Water Protection
Sealer like Lacquer, Polyurethane, and varnish are tried, and approved sealants used to add a repellent layer in between wood and water ideally. Sealant provides excellent waterproofing properties and is very easy to use.
Here is how to apply wood sealer:
Apply the sealants finish at room temperature and do not move the wood during the application process because it causes annoying bubbles on the surface. Also, it dries pretty quickly within 15 minutes. Polyurethane sealants are one of the most popular sealants that always gives you a fantastic finish effect. The whole sealant spectrum forms a high glass shine with soft and perfect shine. Varnish comes with solvent, resin, solvent, and drying oil that resists scratches and acts as a waterproof layer.
Method 3: Waterproof Wood with Stain-Sealer Combo
It is a classy and most efficient way to waterproof the wood. Why? Because stain and sealer combination makes the most powerful combination that quickly forms a water repellent layer on the wood. Also, stains are translucent and work best for the inner wood.
Here is how to apply stain-sealer combo:
The whole application process is pretty simple. Just wipe the wood, sand it with sandpaper to smoothen the surface and eliminate the imperfections. Then apply the stain with a brush and remove the residues using a dry rag. Wait until it dries. Repeat the same process two to three times till you reach a shiny finish. You can follow the same process for both stain sealant combinations and stains. They come in various colors and waterproof the wood with aesthetic appeal. Stain sealants build up a protective layer and also get absorbed quickly. Stain sealant combos are oil-based and highly recommended for interior woods.
Extra Tips:
- Choose the method depending upon your budget plan and also make sure you select a suitable method for the type of wood.
- Do not forget to wash your hands after the entire process.
- Do not forget to protect your hands from chemicals. Always use gloves while waterproofing the wood.
- Let the solution dry completely, or else it causes bubbles in the finishing.
Concluding Remarks
Wood is one of the most beautiful natural building materials that need extensive protection and care from moisture. The finest material makes everything so artistic and calming. Wood and moisture can never be good friends, so always make wood waterproof from humidity, moisture and water to make it shine for decades.
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