Introduction

Exterior woodcare is of paramount importance for anyone looking to maintain the longevity and appearance of their outdoor wooden fixtures and furniture. Proper care can protect wood from environmental damage, including harmful UV rays, rain, and pests, ensuring that your decking, fences, sheds, and garden furniture can withstand the elements and continue to look their best for years to come.

At PaintWell, we understand the critical role that high-quality exterior woodcare products play in this process. As a leading retailer, we are dedicated to providing our customers with a wide range of top-tier products from reputable brands. We offer everything you need to preserve, protect, and enhance your outdoor wood.


1) Understanding Exterior Woodcare Basics

At the heart of exterior woodcare are products like Wood Preserver and Clear Wood Preserver. These are specially designed treatments that penetrate deep into the wood to protect against rot, decay, and insect attack. Clear Wood Preserver is ideal for those who want to maintain the natural look of their wood while still providing it with the protection it needs.

Wood Oil and Oils For Finishing Wood also play a critical role in woodcare. These products nourish the wood, replacing natural oils lost over time, and help to prevent the wood from drying out and splitting. They also provide a barrier against moisture ingress. Specific products like Danish Wood Oil and Oil Based Wood Stain offer unique benefits - the former known for its easy application and enhanced wood grain, and the latter for its ability to stain and protect in one step.

Wood Stain is another crucial aspect of woodcare, particularly for those wanting to add a splash of colour or deepen the hue of their wood. With varieties like Dark Oak Wood Stain, Light Oak Wood Stain, Antique Pine Wood Stain, and Medium Oak Wood Stain, there's a whole spectrum of aesthetic possibilities for your exterior wood.


2) The Best Treatments for Outdoor Wood

When it comes to treating outdoor wood, there's a wealth of options available, falling under the broad categories of Outdoor Wood Treatment and Exterior Wood Treatment. These treatments are formulated to provide the best protection against weathering and decay, as well as enhancing the wood's natural beauty.

Among the top choices for these treatments are products like the Barrettine Wood Preserver, known for its deep penetrating protection, and the Ronseal Wood Preserver, celebrated for its high-quality, long-lasting finish. The Cuprinol 5 Star Wood Treatment is another excellent choice, offering an all-round treatment and protection against all types of wood decay, rot and woodworm.

So, what is the best treatment for outdoor wood? The answer largely depends on the specific needs of your wood. Whether you're looking to simply preserve and protect, add colour, or both, there's a product out there for you. At PaintWell, we can guide you to the product best suited to your needs, ensuring your exterior wood receives the care it deserves.


3) Sealing Wood for Outdoor Use

Sealing wood is a crucial step in outdoor woodcare. A good sealant creates a barrier on the surface of the wood that repels water, helping to prevent damage from moisture, and often includes UV blockers to protect the wood from the sun's harmful rays.

Sealing outdoor wood can be accomplished using a variety of products, including Osmo UV Protection Oil and Owatrol Textrol. Osmo UV Protection Oil is a clear finish for exterior wood that provides excellent protection against the sun. Owatrol Textrol, on the other hand, is an oil-based finish designed to penetrate wood and protect it from within. Both offer superior protection and durability.

So, does outdoor wood need to be sealed? Absolutely. Unsealed wood is susceptible to moisture absorption, leading to warping, splitting, and rotting. As for when to seal your outdoor wood, it's best to do so once it's dry and clean, and ideally on a clear day when no rain is forecast for at least 24 hours.


4) Treating Untreated and Old Wood

Untreated and old wood require special care to ensure they are protected and preserved. For untreated wood, it's essential to apply a protective treatment as soon as possible to prevent any damage. Barrettine Wood Protective Treatment is a fantastic choice, providing excellent surface water repellency to improve the timber's lifespan.

Old wood, on the other hand, may require some restoration before treatment. Once restored, a product like Osmo Wood Stain can help rejuvenate the wood's appearance and offer protection against weathering.

In terms of the best treatment for untreated wood and old wood, the answer depends on the condition of the wood and what it will be used for. However, as a general rule, the Barrettine Wood Protective Treatment and Osmo Wood Stain are excellent choices for their respective uses.


5) Preparing and Preserving Wood Before Painting

Before painting, it's essential to properly prepare the wood to ensure the best finish possible. This preparation often includes cleaning the wood, removing old finish, and applying a preservative to protect the wood from rot and insects.

Products like Owatrol Prepdeck and Owatrol Net-Trol can be hugely beneficial in this process. Owatrol Prepdeck is a professional-grade stripper that can remove old finishes to prepare wood for staining or oiling. Owatrol Net-Trol, meanwhile, is a wood cleaner and brightener that can remove greyed wood caused by exposure to sunlight, restoring the wood's original colour.

To treat outdoor wood before painting, first clean the wood with a product like Owatrol Net-Trol, then strip any old finishes with Owatrol Prepdeck. Once the wood is clean and dry, you can apply a wood preservative to protect against rot and insects. In terms of what you can put on wood to keep it from rotting outside, a good quality wood preservative is your best bet. This will protect your wood from moisture, pests, and decay, providing a solid foundation for your paint or stain.


6) Understanding Woodcare Products

When it comes to woodcare, it's essential to understand the differences between various types of products and when to use them.

Wood preservers are products that are designed to protect wood from rot, decay, and insect attack. They penetrate deep into the wood to provide long-lasting protection. Wood treatments, on the other hand, can refer to a broader category of products, including preservers, oils, stains, and paints, which are used to enhance and protect the wood.

Wood preserver and paint serve different functions. While a wood preserver protects the wood from within, paint forms a protective layer on the surface of the wood and gives it a new colour. Paint does not penetrate the wood, whereas a preserver does.

The main difference between a wood stain and a wood preservative is that while both can protect the wood, a wood stain also changes the colour of the wood. A wood preservative is primarily used to protect the wood from rot and insects.

As for whether to use a wood preserver or oil, it depends on the specific needs of your wood. Both can protect your wood, but they do so in different ways and provide different finishes. Wood preservers provide deep protection against rot and pests, while oils nourish the wood and offer a more natural finish.


7) Choosing the Right Brands for Your Woodcare Needs

There are many reputable brands in the exterior woodcare market, each offering a range of high-quality products. Among the standout brands are Barrettine, Ronseal, Osmo, Cuprinol, and Owatrol.

Barrettine is known for its effective wood preservers and protective treatments, ideal for those seeking to protect their wood from the elements. Ronseal offers a range of products, from wood preservers to stains, all designed to live up to their promise of doing exactly what they say on the tin. Osmo provides a range of natural wood finishes, including wood stains and oils, that protect while maintaining the wood's natural beauty. Cuprinol is renowned for its 5 Star Wood Treatment, offering comprehensive protection against all types of wood decay. Finally, Owatrol has a range of high-performance products designed to prepare and preserve your wood before painting.

In response to the question, "What are the woodcare product brands?" we at PaintWell are proud to stock a range of products from all these brands and more, each offering a unique solution for your exterior woodcare needs.


Conclusion

To conclude, the importance of using the right exterior woodcare products cannot be overstated. From wood preservers to oils, from stains to paints, the right product can protect your wood, enhance its natural beauty, and prolong its life. By understanding the role of each product and choosing the right one for your specific needs, you can ensure that your outdoor wood remains in top condition for years to come.

We at PaintWell invite you to explore our wide range of exterior woodcare products. Whether you are looking to preserve, protect, or enhance your outdoor wood, we have the products and the expertise to help you make the best choice.