WeatherSeal's Chemistry

By Continental Products Company
Reprinted from our LogCore newsletter Spring 2014 edition

WeatherSeal is different because it is thick when properly mixed. Its color also will appear lighter

and more opaque when initially applied to the wood surface than when it starts to dry. That is because there is water in WeatherSeal which distorts its true color. As the water evaporates from the surface of the applied WeatherSeal, its actual color and transparency is revealed.

To someone who has never used WeatherSeal, it can look pretty scary when first applied. Just be patient, the color will change within hours.

Because of WeatherSeal’s unique chemistry, it applies thick, dries thin. The water makes it puffy. As the water evaporates, the resins, oils, and solvent left on the wood surface thin out and absorb into the wood.

Because WeatherSeal is thicker, more can be deposited on a wood surface than standard thinner stains. Consequently, more WeatherSeal is applied with one coat on a wood surface than can be applied with thinner stains. This fact, plus the confusion about WeatherSeal’s thick chemistry, causes WeatherSeal to be mislabeled as a surface coating and not a penetrating stain. This is not true.
WeatherSeal does penetrate (as much as most competitors, which in reality isn’t all that much anyway) but because of WeatherSeal’s thick chemistry, more (and better) material can be deposited on the surface than the thinner stains, thus allowing more WeatherSeal protection to remain on the surface. For a longer life, and greater protection, the wood surface needs some type of shielding. WeatherSeal does both… it absorbs and it coats.

Applying Weatherseal On Decks
Prior to staining, clean the deck surface with either the bleach solution formula (1 qt. bleach, 3 qts. water, 1/2 cup trisodium phosphate, 2 oz. Dawn® detergent), or a deck cleaner.

Use a deck brush to scrub clean and then pressure-wash (500-750 psi) or hose down completely with a fresh water rinse. Allow to completely dry before coating. If the lumber is green (above 18%) allow to dry 2-4 months before cleaning and coating.

Once the lumber is dry (below 18%), apply 1 to 2 coats of WeatherSeal. Two coats are especially recommended on new uncoated decks. Two coats will provide a more uniform and richer appearance, a longer service life, and better protection. Wait until the first coat is dry to touch (slightly tacky is OK) before applying the second coat. (A second coat will not spread smoothly and evenly over the first coat if the first coat is too sticky.)

On previously stained decks, a thorough pressure wash and cleaning of the stained surface is mandatory. Depending on the type and amount of old stain remaining on the deck surface and its appearance, stripping of the weathered stain to bare wood may be necessary.
Once the final coat is applied and dry to touch, wait 3-4 days (70˚F/21˚C) before gently placing furniture and allowing light traffic and approximately 10 days (70˚F/21˚C) for normal use. (At this point WeatherSeal will still be softer so care should be taken not to drag furniture, walk with muddy feet, let dogs run wild, etc.)

Note: WeatherSeal will not achieve its full hardness for 21-30 days at moderate mid-70˚F daytime temperatures, However, within 7-10 days at these temps, WeatherSeal will achieve 80 - 90% hardness.

Questions? Give us a call at 1-800-359-6614 or contact us through our website here.