Congratulations! You've just added years of life to your wood. Besides protecting your investment and ensuring your wood's beauty and value, you have chosen the easiest wood care system to maintain. Although the wood finish is only a small percentage of the cost of a wood structure, it is one of the most critical elements in its construction.
We do recommend that you schedule a light maintenance coat every 12 - 18 months for UV-Resistant Clear Wood Finish, and every 2-3 years for the Epoxy Fortified and Deck Stain for Hardwoods. Vertical surfaces, such as spindles, log homes, etc. will generally last 3 - 5 years. You will need approximately half the material that you used on the initial coating. Maintenance is directly related to application. To achieve optimum performance, and reduce the level of maintenance, carefully follow the recommended procedures for cleaning and preparing wood prior to the initial application of DEFY Wood Stains.
DEFY Wood Stain is formulated to deeply penetrate wood; if too little is applied it will fade more quickly. If too much is applied, or the surface is not properly prepared, the product may form a film and eventually peel. Prepping wood to increase porosity will allow it to absorb more DEFY. Better penetration allows DEFY to protect wood longer and still maintain its attractive finish.
As soon as the color fades a single maintenance coat should be applied. Keep in mind that areas that are more exposed to the intense rays of sun will naturally fade sooner than protected areas and may need to be maintained more often.
To begin, thoroughly clean wood with a garden hose to remove dust and dirt. A weak solution of TimberWash Wood Cleanermay be used to remove any graying or mildew that has occurred. If needed, TimberBrite Wood Brightener may be used to remove stubborn stains, or for use on cedar and redwood. Rinse thoroughly and allow wood to dry completely. Apply one thorough coat of finish to restore color and water repellency to the wood.
NOTE:
As exterior wood ages, it can darken,
so the color of a maintenance coat may be enhanced or darker than the original application.
