Door Maintenance
CETOL® I & CETOL® 23 PLUS APPLICATION GUIDE
Vertical Surfaces: New, Weathered, Uncoated Wood
The best method to prepare vertical wood surfaces is to sand with 80-120 grit sandpaper. However, an alternative to sanding for preparation is listed below.
Cleaning Recommendation
- Spray the surface with clean water, wetting the wood.
- Clean the surface with a solution of four ounces of 100% powdered Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) or phosphatefree substitute plus one quart of liquid bleach in three quarts of water. Apply this solution generously to the wood with a garden pump sprayer.
- Let the solution sit on the wood for 15-20 minutes. During this period, scrub the surface with a hard bristle brush to help remove mill glaze and/or weathering. Do not let the solution dry on the wood. Keep the wood wet.
- Power wash the cleaning solution from the wood with clean water. To prevent damaging the wood, do not exceed 500 psi. The nozzle must be a maximum of one foot from the surface for full effectiveness.
- Let the surface dry for three days before application (i.e., the moisture content is below 18%).
Tips
- It is always recommended to perform a three-coat color test on a sample of the wood.
- New rough-sawn wood less than four weeks old should be dry-brushed using a brush with stiff bristles to remove loose dirt and fibers. If debris is still present then follow the cleaning recommendation.
- Weathered grey wood or wood affected with blue fungi or rust from nails may be treated after the surface preparation by applying a solution of four ounces of oxalic acid crystals in a gallon of warm water. This solution should be allowed to sit on the affected areas for 15-20 minutes before the final power wash with clean water. Let dry three days before coating.
- Fill all joints, cracks and nail holes with a good quality polyurethane or acrylic caulk/filler.
- Cetol 1 is always used as the first coat in any bare wood application.
- All systems consist of three coats.
- All three coats must be applied within 30 days after preparation.
- Spraying is only recommended for Cetol 23 Plus.
- Previous coatings must be removed prior to application of Cetol I and Cetol 23 Plus system
Application Procedures
Cetol I coverage area is 250-350 sq. ft./U.S. gal (smooth wood) and 200-300 sq. ft./U.S. gal (rough/weathered wood).
Cetol 23 Plus coverage area is 400-500 sq. ft./U.S. gal.
Vertical Surfaces: New/Bare/Weathered Wood
- Follow the preparation procedures
- Apply one coat of Cetol I
- Let surface dry a minimum of 24 hours
- Apply a second coat using Cetol 23 Plus
- Let surface dry a minimum of 24 hours
- Apply a third coat using Cetol 23 Plus
- Clean tools with mineral spirits
*For full log applications, call Sikkens Sales and Technical Support
Outdoor Furniture/Fence Applications
- Follow the preparation procedures
- Apply one coat of Cetol I
- Let surface dry a minimum of 24 hours
- Apply a second coat of Cetol I
- Let surface dry a minimum of 24 hours
- Apply a third coat of Cetol I
- Clean tools with mineral spirits
Application Do’s …
for Cetol I and Cetol 23 Plus
- Apply when the surface and air temperature is
50° F/10° C to 95° F/35° C - Stir before using
- Saturate all end grains, nail holes, cavities and cracks in the wood
- Maintain a wet edge to prevent lap marks
- Apply liberally in the direction of the wood grain using a long-haired natural bristle brush
- Back prime (if possible)
- Intermix batches to ensure color consistency
Application Don’ts …
for Cetol I and Cetol 23 Plus
- Do not apply when surface is hot to the touch
- Do not apply when rain, dew, or frost is present or expected within five hours
- Do not apply in wet weather
- Do not apply when moisture content of the wood is greater than 18%
- Do not thin
Maintenance Procedures
Proper maintenance starts with visual inspection. A timeframe of two to three years on the south and west exposure and three to four on north and east exposures can be used as a general guideline. However, as weathering, exposure and altitude vary, maintenance may be needed sooner and should be performed when visually necessary regardless of timeframe.
- Follow the preparation procedures using the cleaning recommendation, reducing the solution to two ounces of 100% powdered Tri-Sodium Phosphate or phosphate-free substitute. Let surface dry three days.
- Apply one coat of Cetol 23 Plus or Cetol Maintenance.
- For outdoor furniture and fences, apply a maintenance coat of Cetol I every one to two years.
- Color #996 Natural Light may require more frequent maintenance (i.e., every 18-24 months).