FEATURES
Coating and / or painting a timber surface does require some knowledge, therefore research is mandatory to reach the desired effect.
Paint it well, coat it well
Wood is a building material that is versatile and flexible, so clients
may choose to paint or coat it; we look at how this can be done while
ensuring longevity of the wood.
By Ntsako Khosa | Photos by Pixabay
I
t is not often that clients request timber to be used on a
job, so it is important to do some research first and ask
questions such as what type of timber will be used,
where will the material be placed (indoor or outdoor),
which product works best for the material, will it require
maintenance after painting or coating?
“The basic rules hold true for all types of timber types:
preparation, application and using the right products are all
essential, irrespective of the timber type you are treating,”
says Frikkie Greeff, Woodoc MD.
PREPARING TIMBER
Once all of this has been determined, preparation is the
next step. Stefan le Hanie from Howard Products says that
when it comes to preparation, it depends on the finish of
the timber. “An antique for example would be treated by
one of our products. Restor-A-Finish preserves the original
wood finish. It also helps preserve its authenticity.”
“There are different types of wood and each has a
different characteristic that needs consideration prior to
38 APRIL / MAY 2018 //
application of a coating,” says Guy Lawson, director at My
Law Chemicals and Excelsior Paints.
The procedure may vary from wood types, but the same
basic principles apply and include:
• Checking the moisture content in the wood first (the
wood must have a moisture content below 20% before
coating or the coating can fail);
• The wood must be abraded with sand paper to open the
wood grain and allow the coating to penetrate (different
woods have different porosities); and
• Any residue like resin from the wood knots and dust and
contaminants must be treated or removed before coating.
Carel Steenkamp, senior product specialist at Rubio
Monocoat, says that this step is key.
“Ensure that any filling is done and the fillers drying
times are respected before moving on to sanding,” he
advises.
See more on page 40