The application process of NatureColor® Base Coat and Recoater will vary with your project needs. Please refer to the guidelines.

Preparation

CLEAN YOUR WOOD SURFACE BEFORE STAINING – Refer to the General Preparation Guide for unfinished wood, new or weathered.

Temperature And Moisture Specifications

NatureColor® Base Coat and Recoater products must be applied onto a clean, dry, wood surface.

Temperature of surface and air must be between 50F and 90F.

1. Do Not apply a finish if temperature is expected to drop below 50F within 4 hours of application.
2. Do Not apply a finish in the direct sunlight, when surface is hot to the touch, or the temperature is above 85F.

Moisture must not be present in the air, on the surface or the interior of the wood.

1. Do Not apply if the humidity level is high.
2. Do Not apply if rain is present or expected to be within 24 hours before or after your application.
3. Do Not apply when dew is present on the surface.
4. Do Not apply if the wood moisture content is above 18%.

Application Tools

1. A longhaired natural bristle brush is the preferred tool for applying NatureColor® Base Coat and Recoater.
2. An airless sprayer can also be used. We recommend back brushing on all coats, to work the product into the wood and to even the pigmentation and film thickness. Spray Specifications:
   1. Tip Size .011 to .013 Keep the spray head no more than 12 inches from substrate.
   2. Pressure – 1000 to 1500 PSI
3. A stir stick for frequent mixing.

For Best Performance

Do a Color Check. Before applying your color selection onto your wood siding, perform test brush-outs onto a sample board of your wood species or discreet area of your siding, to verify your color outcome.

Thoroughly Stir the Stain. Pigments settle to the bottom of the container so it’s pertinent to thoroughly stir the product well at the beginning of your project and frequently during your application. Stirring distributes pigments throughout the product and helps to maintain a color consistency throughout your application.

“Box” Stains. (Mix contents of a new, full can of stain into the can of stain you’re currently staining from.) When the container of stain you are using is down to about ¼ full, fill it back up by adding stain from the next container youopen (Basecoat with Basecoat, Recoater with Recoater). Thoroughly stir the newly opened container before combining into the ¼ full container. Then thoroughly stir the now combined stain and continue staining.

Apply Stain Liberally. Apply enough stain to saturate the wood pores, working it into the grain. Watch for dripping as you proceed. Brush drips into the finish.

Apply Stain in the Direction of the Grain. Apply stain to three or four boards at a time, working all the way across the house. Work from the bottom up on initial application so drips are falling onto stained surface and are easier to brush in. On additional finishes, work from the top of the house to the bottom, thereby always staining above the ladder.

Avoid Lap Marks. Brush product from the beginning of a board to the end of the board. Avoid lap marks by keeping your stop and start points wet and blended. Move your freshly dipped brush from the unstained section of wood, back into the existing wet stain to blend your stop and starting point.

Apply Caulking Where Necessary Before the Final Coat of Stain. Only Polyurethane or Latex caulks should be used with NatureColor® products. DO NOT use a silicone caulk.

Application Procedures for “Unfinished” Exterior Wood

Wood Siding (New or Weathered, Smooth-sawn or Rough-sawn).

Such as Board & Baton, Channel, Shiplap, Tongue & Groove, Log Siding and Shake “Panel” Siding.

I. UNINSTALLED, Unfinished Wood Siding.
Apply NatureColor® Base Coat and Recoater, three-coat system, with back priming.

1. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to all sides and ends of boards.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours.
3. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to front side of boards.
4. Allow to dry 24 hours.
5. Apply One Coat of Recoater after boards are installed.

II. INSTALLED, Unfinished Wood Siding.
Apply NatureColor® Base Coat and Recoater, three-coat system.

1. Apply One Coat of Base Coat.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours.
3. Apply One Coat of Base Coat.
4. Allow to dry 24 hours.
5. Apply One Coat of Recoater.

Wood Shake Siding (individual shakes) (New or Weathered).

The end grains of individual shingles are very porous and exposed to the elements, consequently they act like a sponge absorbing moisture into the shingle. To keep shingles as breathable as possible, we recommend using Base Coat only. No Recoater.

I. UNINSTALLED, Unfinished Individual Shakes.
Apply NatureColor® Base Coat, only.

1. Dip the whole shingle into Base Coat. Lightly brush off the excess. Hang vertically to dry to avoid pooling.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours.
3. Repeat the dipping process.
4. Allow to dry 24 hours before installation.

II. INSTALLED, Unfinished Individual Shakes.
Apply NatureColor® Base Coat, only.

1. Apply One Coat of Base Coat.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours.
3. Apply One Coat of Base Coat.

 

Log & Timber Siding (New or Weathered, with less than 18% inner moisture reading).

** Applying NatureColor® to logs and timber with inner or surface moisture GREATER than 18%, is NOT recommended.**

I. UNINSTALLED, Unfinished Log and Timber.
Apply NatureColor® Base Coat and Recoater, three-coat system, with back priming.

1. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to all sides and ends of log or timber.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours.
3. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to exposed side of log or timber.
4. Allow to dry 24 hours before installation.
5. Apply One Coat of Recoater after logs or timbers are installed.

II. INSTALLED, Unfinished Log and Timber.
Apply NatureColor® Base Coat and Recoater, three-coat system.

1. Apply One Coat of Base Coat.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours.
3. Apply One Coat of Base Coat.
4. Allow to dry 24 hours.
5. Apply One Coat of Recoater.

 

Wood Exterior Doors.

When possible, remove hinges, door hardware, and bottom door gasket prior to staining.

I. Uninstalled or Installed, Unfinished Wood Entry Door.
Apply NatureColor® Base Coat and Recoater, three-coat system.

1. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to exterior and all edges.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours.
3. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to exterior and all edges.
4. Allow to dry 24 hours.
5. Apply One Coat of Recoater to exterior and all edges.
6. Allow to dry 24 hours before replacing hardware and gasket and shutting door tightly.

 

Wood Garage Doors.

Staining your garage doors prior to installation allows you to easily coat all side of the door panels. If the bottom edge of the door is covered with a gasket, remove the gasket to allow the three-coat application of stain. Reinstall the gasket after 24 hours dry time.

I. Uninstalled or Installed, Unfinished Garage Doors.
Apply NatureColor® Base Coat and Recoater, three-coat system.

1. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to the front, back and edges of the garage door panels.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours.
3. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to the front, back and edges of the garage door panels.
4. Allow to dry 24 hours.
5. Apply One Coat of Recoater to the front, back and edges of the garage door panels.
6. Allow to dry 24 hours before replacing hardware and gasket and shutting door tightly.

 

Wood Decks (New or Weathered).

The exposed ends on a deck board, along with the perforations from nails and screws, provide avenues for water/moisture to seep into the wood. For that reason, only Base Coat is suggested to keep the finish as breathable as possible, to avoid peeling.

I. UNINSTALLED, Unfinished Wood Deck Boards.
Apply NatureColor® Base Coat only.

1. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to all sides and ends of deck boards and railings.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours before installing. Optional second coat.
3. After deck boards are installed, One additional coat of Base Coat may be applied.
4. Allow to dry 24 hours before walking on deck surface.
5. Allow to dry 72 hours before placing furniture on deck surface.

II. INSTALLED, Unfinished Wood Deck Boards.
Apply NatureColor® Base Coat only.

1. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to surface, sides, and when possible, underside of boards.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours before walking on boards. Optional second coat.
3. After first application of Base Coat has dried 24 hours, One additional coat of Base Coat may be applied.
4. Allow to dry 24 hours before walking on deck surface.
5. Allow to dry 72 hours before placing furniture on deck surface.

 

Wood Railings and Spindles (New or Weathered).

The exposed ends on railings and spindles, along with the perforations from nails and screws, provide avenues for water/ moisture to seep into the wood. For that reason, only Base Coat is suggested to keep the finish as breathable as possible, to avoid peeling.

I. UNINSTALLED, Unfinished Wood Railings.
Apply NatureColor® Base Coat only.

1. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to all sides and ends of the railings and spindles.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours before installing.
3. After railings/spindles are installed, apply One Coat of Base Coat to all sides of the railings and spindles.

II. INSTALLED, Unfinished Wood Railings.
Apply NatureColor® Base Coat only.

1. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to all sides and ends of railings and spindles.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours.
3. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to all sides and ends of railings and spindles.

 

Wood Outdoor Furniture.

Outdoor furniture typically consists of various wooden pieces joined together with nails or screws. Water/moisture will often find its way into the wood where the wood pieces are joined. For that reason, Base Coat only, is suggested for finishing outdoor furniture to keep the finish as breathable as possible.

I. Apply NatureColor® Base Coat only.

1. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to all sides and ends of the furniture.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours.
3. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to all sides and ends of the furniture.
4. Allow to dry 72 hours before using/sitting on furniture.

 

Wood Exterior Window Sashes, Jambs and Sills.

Remove any exposed window hardware, if possible, prior to staining.

I. Uninstalled, Unfinished Wood Windows.
Apply NatureColor® Base Coat and Recoater, three-coat system.

1. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to exterior and edges.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours.
3. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to exterior and edges.
4. Allow to dry 24 hours.
5. Apply One Coat of Recoater.
6. Allow to dry 24 hours before replacing hardware.

II. Installed, Unfinished Wood Windows.
Apply NatureColor® Base Coat and Recoater, three-coat system.

1. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to exterior.
2. Allow to dry 24 hours.
3. Apply One Coat of Base Coat to exterior.
4. Allow to dry 24 hours.
5. Apply One Coat of Recoater to exterior.
6. Allow to dry 24 hours. before replacing hardware.

 

Helpful Tips

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.

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.

Coating the back side of the board (Back-priming) is recommended prior to the siding installation. This will help control the absorption of excessive moisture and heat into the wood, which is sometimes produced from foil faced or ridged foam insulation, or moisture proof house wrap.

Caulking around windows, doors, etc. before applying the third coat will enhance the performance of the coating.

 

Clean Up

Clean up spills and spatters immediately with mineral spirits.

Clean tools immediately after use with mineral spirits.

Dispose of empty can or unused finish in accordance with state and federal regulations.

 

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.