Frequent mistakes in wood protection and the reasons for their appearance

Staining wood always involves some work. Pre-treatment of the wood, choice of staining method, painting and sealing seems complex at first glance, but with a little practice it can be carried out by hobbyists and do-it-yourselfers. So everyone can beautify their home and garden with wooden elements in the right color.

THE FIRST STEP IN COLORING WOOD: PREPARATION OF THE WOOD
Before painting, it is important to pre-treat the wood. Raw wood should be sanded to a smooth finish with no protruding chips. If you want to change the color of wood that has already been painted, you must first remove the entire surface from the previous coating using sandpaper with a grain size of P40 to P150.

TEST COATING:
Since many colors penetrate deep into the wood, it is difficult to undo the staining process. If you are not sure about the choice of color, you must first do a test with a smaller piece of wood. It should also be noted that the color looks darker when wet than when dry. A test coat also gives you more confidence when working with paint, because an even coat of paint is not so easy the first time.

APPLICATION OF COLOR :
If the color test went well, you can now get to work. The paint should be prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions and filled into containers that cannot react with the paint. Oils are often applied with a sponge, for all other wood colors use a wide brush or roller.
When painting, a first, middle and final coat is recommended so that the color is really opaque and evenly distributed.
Apply the color to the edges first, then apply evenly over the entire surface. If the color is not opaque or intense enough, additional layers can be applied. When painting, a first, middle and final coat is recommended so that the color is really opaque and evenly distributed.

COMPLETION:
With all the above-mentioned coloring methods, except varnishing, the wooden surface is still breathable and water-permeable. In order to achieve the longest possible durability, it should always be sealed at the end with clear varnish, hard oil or wax.

The most common mistakes when painting wood are:

• poor coating adhesion – poorly cleaned surface and presence of grease
• rough surface – skipping the sanding of the wood or the first layer (impregnation or varnish)
• cracking of the coating, thin cracks and wrinkles – you applied the coating in one thick layer
• peeling – poorly cleaned surface and poorly removed old coatings that no longer adhere to the surface
• rapid appearance of gray color on wood exposed to the effects of the weather – you protected the wood with colorless varnishes without UV filters or insufficiently thick layers
• inappropriate shade – you did not mix the product well before use, the influence of the surface color on the final appearance of the coating
• darkening of the shade – the wood was not dry enough before staining
• appearance of protrusions on the surface – insufficiently clean equipment, poorly cleaned surface, mixing of solvent- and water-based glazes
• appearance of bubbles on the surface – use of inappropriate or insufficiently clean equipment
• dotted surface – uneven application of the coating
• soft and non-resistant cover layer – you applied individual layers too quickly one after the other
• the coating does not dry – you have not washed off the chemical paint removers, the humidity in the air is too high or the temperature is too low