'Let the wood gray' Exterior Sealer - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Joe Wood · 08-12-2007, 06:23 PM

What would be some exterior sealers I could look at for use on freshly sanded ipe decks, where I wanted the wood to go silver?

I've been using New Wood Defender, a water based product with no UV screen http://www.flood.com/Flood/Products/...r_Woodcare.htm

and I advise my clients to re-seal with it every Spring when they do their mildew wash. I really like how ipe does silver out, but I also know it should be sealed up to help cut down on the staining from dropped food, spills etc.

Hoping to find something that might last a bit longer then NWDefender does between sealings.

Squrtgun · 08-12-2007, 09:12 PM

http://www.restore-a-deck.com/woodzotic.html

Give Ken a call............

Joe Wood · 08-15-2007, 08:49 AM

Geeze, I almost forgot I had posted this question ..

Squrt, I'm almost certain that Kens products contain UV screens and that's what I don't want.

Anybody have any other suggestions?

How about one of the non-tinted Thompsons waterproofers? I know how almost everybody beats up on Thompsons, probably because of the low level of UV protection they give, but that's what I'm after.

gideond · 08-15-2007, 12:55 PM

Pick your favorite paint brand and inquire about their stains. We carry Pratt & Lambert and I have both their waterborne and oil S/T finishes that are completely clear if you don't add tint. use it without tinting and you also have no UV protection, just a water sealer and still a better sealer than Thompsons.

welovepainting · 08-15-2007, 01:27 PM

Did you say thompson water sealer ewwwww

PressurePros · 08-15-2007, 01:31 PM

If you are going to let a wood turn gray your best bet is to just let it age naturally. Ipe has enough of its own natural sugars and oils to repel enviromental staining. I think ipe is a beautiful wood and should be maintained to hold its appearance but I do understand some people prefer the look of old, grayed out wood. You can use any oil based clear (no pigmentation) for minimal added protection.

carolinaprowash · 08-17-2007, 04:35 AM

There are a couple of things you need to realize first - NOTHING is really going to last longer than a year on Ipe. Second, NWDefender is a sacrificial coating and is not designed to last that long. It's entire purpose was to offer a protection to new wood during the "aging" process and probably more so on PT Pine than an exotic anyway.

Let your ipe silver, give it an annual very LIGHT wash (so as not to remove the grayed wood) and put your clear back on if you feel that the wood needs the oil. Ipe is such an incredible wood, it can last all by itself with no help but from the perspective of preventing stains from spills, etc... a clear will serve your purpose.

Celeste

bigchaz · 08-18-2007, 08:50 AM

Im surprised you are getting a year out of the clear on ipe. Sounds like you have good method in cleaning the mildew and recoating every year. You wont get a product to last longer than that.