1. Clean Your Wood Surface Before Applying A Stain.

Prior to applying a Structures Wood Care finish to new wood or and existing finish:

1. Remove dirt.
2. Remove mildew.
3. Remove foreign matter (like bug residue and pollen).
4. Remove mill glaze (a surface film often produced during the milling process of smooth sawn wood).

If you don’t clean these impurities from the surface, your finish will not properly adhere to the wood and your finish could peel. Cleaning methods vary when addressing unfinished wood, or wood with an existing finish. In some cases, it is necessary to remove the existing finish so that the new finish will adhere properly.

2. Determine Which Cleaning Method To Use

Suggested cleaning methods vary with the type of wood you’re cleaning.

1. See below to locate your wood surface condition, and to determine the suitable cleaning method to use.

3. Follow The Cleaning Method Instructions.

1. See below for cleaning method details, cautions and guidelines.

4. After Cleaning.

1. Refer to the Application Guide.
2. Apply your first application of stain to a horizontal surface (decks, docks, steps, etc.) within seven days of cleaning.
3. Apply your first application of stain to a vertical surface (siding, fences, etc.) within fourteen days of cleaning.

 

Determine the Appropriate Cleaning Method

Locate your wood surface condition below, to determine the suitable cleaning method to use.

Unfinished Wood New Or Weathered

Smooth-sawn Wood Siding, Log & Timber Siding, Fences
Cleaning Methods:

1. Sanding (Preferable). See Method “E”
2. Strong Detergent and Water. See Method “D”
3. Liquid Mill Glaze Remover. See Method “B”

Rough-sawn Wood Siding, Railings, Deck Boards
Cleaning Method:

1. Strong Detergent and Water. See Method “D”

Exterior Doors, Garage Doors, Windows, Outdoor Furniture
Cleaning Method:

1. Sanding. See Method “E”

SEE BELOW FOR CLEANING METHOD DETAILS.

 

STAINED WOOD In Good Condition (Preparing for maintenance coat)

Wood Siding, Log & Timber Siding, Composite Siding
Cleaning Method:

1. Mild Detergent and Water. See Method “C”

Deck Boards & Railings, Fences
Cleaning Methods:

1. Scuff Sanding. See Method “F” REQUIRED before applying NatureOne 100% Acrylic.
2. Strong Detergent and Water. See Method “D”

Exterior Doors, Garage Doors, Windows, Outdoor Furniture
Cleaning Method:

1. Scuff Sanding. See Method “F”

SEE BELOW FOR CLEANING METHOD DETAILS.

 

STAINED WOOD In Poor Condition (Preparing for maintenance coat)

Wood Siding, Log & Timber Siding, Deck Boards & Railings, Fences
Cleaning Methods:

1. Sanding. See Method “E”
2. Chemically Striping . See Method “A”
3. Surface Blasting Medium. See Method “G”

Exterior Doors, Garage Doors, Windows, Outdoor Furniture
Cleaning Methods:

1. Sanding. See Method “E”
2. Chemically Striping . See Method “A”

Composite Siding
Cleaning Method:

1. Strong Detergent and Water. See Method “D”

SEE BELOW FOR CLEANING METHOD DETAILS.

 

 

Cleaning Methods

PLEASE REVIEW CAUTIONS AND GUIDELINES PRIOR TO ANY CLEANING.

A. CHEMICAL STRIPPER

1. Chemically strip the wood down to bare wood, with a wax-free chemical stripper, following label instructions.

B. LIQUID MILL GLAZE REMOVER

Mill Glaze is a surface film, often produced during the milling process of smooth sawn wood. It can close the wood pores and interfere with the stain adhesion to the wood. Although sanding is the optimal method to remove mill glaze, manufactured Mill Glaze removers can also be effective. Experience has shown us that physical abrasion of the surface with a stiff synthetic brush improves the effective removal of the “Mill Glaze”.

1. Use an approved “Mill Glaze” removing product, following product label instructions.

C. MILD DETERGENT AND WATER

This formula with 2 ounces (1/4 cup) of TSP, creates a mild detergent to clean the wood surface of impurities and prepare it for a maintenance coat.

1. Mix the following ingredients in batch volumes to cover the area to be cleaned. (Approximate coverage is 150 sf per gallon).
   1. 2 oz. TSP (1/4 C.) *Do NOT use TSP -‘Free’ as It lacks phosphate, which is the detergent.
   2. 1 quart of liquid bleach. (Expiration date on bottle should not be expired).
   3. 3 quarts of warm water.
2. Wet surface of building with clean water.
3. Apply cleaning solution with a pump-up garden sprayer, starting from the bottom and working to the top.
4. Keep the applied cleaning solution wet for approximately 15-20 minutes, misting, if necessary. DO NOT ALLOW TO DRY. After allotted time and while surface is still wet, power rinse with clean water, rinsing from the top to the bottom.
   DO NOT EXCEED 500 PSI ON THE WOOD SURFACE.
   PROTECT VEGETATION, WINDOWS, AND DOOR OPENINGS. Please read the Cautions and Guidelines.

D. STRONG DETERGENT AND WATER

This formula increases the TSP level to 4 ounces (1/2 cup), creating an aggressive cleaner to lift away impurities at and just beneath the wood surface. It typically is not as effective in removing mill glaze, as sanding would be. (Mill Glaze is a surface film, often produced during the milling process of smooth planed wood. It can close the wood pores and interfere with the stain adhesion to the wood.)

1. Begin by aggressively brushing the surface with a stiff synthetic brush to remove loose wood fiber. (For rough-sawn wood siding, use a wire brush.)
2. Mix the following ingredients in batch volumes to cover the area to be cleaned. (Approximate coverage is 150 sf per gallon).
   1. 4 oz. TSP (1/2 C) **Do NOT use TSP ‘Free’ as it lacks phosphate, which is the detergent.
   2. 1 quart of liquid bleach, brand new.
   3. 3 quarts of warm water.
3. Wet surface of building with clean water.
4. Apply cleaning solution with a pump-up garden sprayer, starting from the bottom and working to the top.
5. Keep the applied cleaning solution wet for approximately 15-20 minutes, misting, if necessary. DO NOT ALLOW TO DRY. After allotted time and while surface is still wet, power rinse with clean water, rinsing from the top to the bottom.
6. DO NOT EXCEED 500 PSI ON THE WOOD SURFACE.
7. PROTECT VEGETATION, WINDOWS AND DOOR OPENINGS. Please read the Cautions and Guidelines.

E. SANDING

Sanding is the optimum method to remove deteriorating wood cells, clean the wood surface of impurities and remove mill glaze, (a surface film, often produced during the milling process of smooth sawn wood). Mill Glaze can close the wood pores and interfere with the stain adhesion to the wood. Sanding opens the wood pores and removes dead fibers from the surface.

1. Sand the entire surface with 60 to 80-grit sandpaper, sanding in the direction of the wood grain.
2. Remove the resulting dust with a vacuum.

F. SCUFF SANDING

Scuff Sanding is a process of lightly sanding the wood surface. It lightly textures the surface to allow the maintenance finish to bond to the existing finish.

1. Lightly sand the entire surface with 60 grit sandpaper, sanding in the direction of the wood grain.
2. Remove the resulting dust with a vacuum.

G. SURFACE BLASTING MEDIUM

Corn cob, Glass, Soda, and Sand are various blasting mediums used to remove existing finishes from wood siding. These methods can be effective but are not recommended as a DIY project. These mediums can be very damaging to the wood surface if not performed by an experienced operator.

 

CAUTIONS AND GUIDELINES

CAUTIONS

1. Do not exceed 500 PSI on the wood surface. Use a 45˚ fan tip keeping the tip approximately 12” or more from the surface. The objective is to remove dirt loosened by the cleaning solution. Excessive PSI may damage the wood surface which will affect the performance and appearance of the wood finish. (A garden hose delivers approximately 60 PSI, which is not enough pressure for effective cleaning.)
2. Protect vegetation, windows, and door openings. The TSP/bleach/water solution may affect grass, vegetation, or metal if applied directly. Wet nearby vegetation with clean water and cover with plastic tarps. Cover windows and door openings.

GUIDELINES

1. Allow surface to dry at least 3 days after rain or water cleaning, before applying a finish.
2. Apply a finish to a horizontal surface (decks, docks, steps, etc.) within 7 days of cleaning. Complete additional applications within 7 days of each other. If more than 7 days lapse between applications, you should reclean your surface, following the mild detergent cleaning guidelines.
3. Apply a finish to a vertical surface (siding, fencing, etc.) within 14 days of cleaning. Complete additional applications within 14 days of each other. If more than 14 days lapse between applications, you should reclean your surface, following the mild detergent cleaning guidelines.
4. Moisture content of the wood should not exceed 18% at time of applying a finish.
5. Cleaning your building once a year with a Mild Detergent and Water (Method C) will clean off the dirt and enhance the performance of the coating.

Limited Warranty: The information and suggestions for preparation made herein are based on research and experience of Structures Wood Care, Inc., and are believed to be reliable. Application and surface conditions are beyond Structures Wood Care, Inc.’s control. Liability, if any, is limited to replacement of product or refund of its purchase price at Structures Wood Care’s option. Proof of purchase is required. Labor or cost of labor is excluded. Buyers must determine for themselves, by preliminary tests or otherwise, the suitability of the products for their purposes.

 

If you have questions or concerns about cleaning your wood surface, please contact Structures Wood Care, Inc. (866) 963-4680 or info@structureswoodcare.com.