WAO Stain Remover
Basic Use
WAO Stain Remover was developed because exterior woodsurfaces including structures, shingle roofs, decks, cladding etc. become discoloured from dirt and general weathering and greying. WAO Stain Remover counteracts the weathering process by eliminating years of discoloration and fungus from all species of timber. It cleans, brightens and restores wood surfaces back to the appearance of new timber. In addition it is exceptional at removing stubborn stains such as tannin stains, resin stains, fungal & algae stains, green CCA stains, oil and grease stains, surface greying and many other chemical stains that may destroy the natural beauty of wood.
It is important to note that the use of high-pressure water alone to clean timber will create damage to the wood fibres as well as uneven start and stop marks. Water alone will not remove biological growth from the timber.
It is also important to understand that the use of commercial and household cleaning solutions that contain bleaching agents such as Sodium Hypochlorite should be avoided. These chemical cleaners will harm the environment and will damage the timber tissue. Additionally, using bleach to clean timber may produce a film forming reaction in the outer wood fibres that causes a subsequent coating failure. WAO Stain Remover weathered wood restorer on the other hand is significantly safer, more effective, and biodegradable.
WAO Stain Remover may also be used to remove mill glaze from freshly sawn smooth timber.
Limitations
WAO Stain Remover is formulated for use on uncoated weathered timber surfaces or coated timber surfaces where the coating has eroded completely away. WAO Stain Remover will not remove any paint, stain or clear finish that is in sound condition. In these situations CD77 Stripper must be used. WAO Stain Remover may dull painted and metal surfaces if it is not rinsed off quickly.
Technical Data
Colour |
Semi Transparent Viscous Liquid |
Coverage |
5 - 8 sq metres/litre |
Packaging |
5 and 20 litre containers |
Preparation
Unlike bleach and detergents, WAO Stain Remover is not considered a strong defoliant, however, the use of drop cloths to protect delicate and/or adjacent vegetation is recommended.
Because of the wide variation in discoloration and timber species that are encountered, a test area should always be cleaned prior to commencement of the project to determine how much time the restoration procedure will require, and how much WAO Stain Remover will be required. This enables an accurate application procedure to be determined and cost estimated. It is important for the user to determine the suitability of the product for its intended application.
It is preferable to use WAO Stain Remover as supplied and it must always be mixed well before use. Sometimes however, the use of hot water rinsing combined with an easy to clean surface, means that WAO Stain Remover can be diluted with water. If a choice to dilute the product is made, always test to determine if the dilution being used is effective in cleaning. If the timber is proving easy to clean, it might be more cost effective to use SARA Clean instead of WAO Stain Remover on a large project.
Application
Apply WAO Stain Remover liberally to a pre-wetted timber substrate with brush, roller, or garden sprayer. Let WAO Stain Remover do most of the work by letting it dwell on the surface for 10 minutes — 8 hours, or such time as deemed to be necessary by the test procedure. It may be necessary to scrub stubborn stains moderately with a stiff fibre brush.
Removal
Once WAO Stain Remover has cleaned the timber, it must be power water rinsed (hot water works best) off. For best results wash off with high-pressure water at 1000 —1300 p.s.i. pressure. Clean from the lowest point and work upwards methodically. ALWAYS clean off with a water jet that produces a "putty knife" shaped fan that is 40 — 50mm wide about 100mm out from jet. Adopt a continuous "mowing action" working with power water fan-jet 100mm from the face of the substrate. DO NOT use "turbojets" on timber. CAUTION must be used when cleaning soft timber to reduce the pressure and avoid scouring of sapwood. The longer that WAO Stain Remover is left on the substrate, the greater the rinse time required.
Additionally, certain types of wood surfaces may leave a raised grain effect after stripping is completed. Sanding or poly pad scrubbing may be required to smooth out this condition.
If WAO Stain Remover is being used to remove mill glaze (a smooth glossy surface found on smooth newly sawn timber which is impervious to most coatings) use the same procedure as above.
Cleanup and Precautions
WAO Stain Remover is slippery when applied to surface so use caution when walking on horizontal surfaces. DO NOT walk on surfaces coated with WAO Stain Remover. Water flush all equipment, vegetation, paths, concrete, asphalt, and other adjacent surfaces immediately upon contact. Leave job site free of any trace amounts of WAO Stain Remover. Always remember that WAO Stain Remover is a hazardous chemical, and refer to the health and safety considerations listed in the MSDS sheet prior to commencing any project. Fully protect adjacent surfaces including vegetation and be aware of the potential for wind drift into areas with cars or pedestrian traffic when rinsing or applying. Never leave behind any containers or equipment, and appropriately label any containers of residue for disposal.
Recoating
Following the restoration of the timber with WAO Stain Remover, it is important to complete the restoration process by coating the timber with Cutek® Wood Preservative. Application of Cutek® Wood Preservative eliminates the need for any future stripping because it will not form a film that will peel off like a varnish. Additionally, it has been specifically designed to maximise the dimensional stability and aesthetic qualities of natural timber, while providing protection against ultraviolet degradation, moisture and biological growth. Always remember that film-forming coatings can peel and may need to be sanded, stripped, or scraped when reapplication is necessary.
It is important that the restored timber is completely dry before the application of Cutek® Wood Preservative. Allow 3 - 4 days of hot, fine drying weather. If unsure, use a moisture meter to measure the residual moisture content of the restored timber to make sure that it is less than 18% before coating.
Failure to treat the wood after restoration will result in the weathering process occurring more rapidly than it took prior to restoration.