How to apply DuroGrit to outdoor furnitureUpdated 9 hours ago

Consult the TDS prior to using DuroGrit.

Materials needed

• Sanding machines and sandpaper
• Vacuum
• Exterior Wood Cleaner
• DuroGrit
• Paint can opener
• Stir stick
• Firm bristle paint brush
• Nitrile gloves

Video

Application process

Preparation

1. For New, Unexposed Wood

• New smooth, planed wood has a hard, shiny surface called mill glaze, which prevents maximum penetration and adhesion of DuroGrit.To ensure optimal performance, this glaze must be removed. Clean the new wood with Exterior Wood Cleaner (see process below) to break the mill glaze and allow proper penetration of DuroGrit. 
• For (tropical) hardwoods (such as cumaru, ipe, teak, merbau, etc.), let the wood weather outdoors for about 4-6 weeks before surface preparation and coating. These species contain natural extractives or oils that can impede the penetration and/or drying of the finish. 
• New, water-repellent pressure-treated wood must be allowed to dry and weather for approximately 6-12 months before surface preparation and coating. 

         Note: If using Exterior Wood Cleaner is not feasible and allowing the wood to weather naturally isn’t an           option, thoroughly sand the surface with 80-grit sandpaper to remove the mill glaze and open the wood           pores for optimal absorption.

2. For Untreated Weathered Wood

• Thoroughly clean the surface with Exterior Wood Cleaner (see process below) to remove dirt and green deposits, and to open the wood pores. If the weathering is severe and the surface still appears patchy after cleaning, we recommend sanding the wood with 80-grit sandpaper for decking to achieve a more uniform appearance.

Cleaning the wood with Exterior Wood Cleaner

1. First wet the wooden surface with a fine mist of water from a garden hose. 
2. Clean the surface with Exterior Wood Cleaner and a stiff bristled nylon scrubbing brush (wear gloves and eye protection). 
3. Do not allow the solution to dry. Thoroughly rinse the cleaning solution residue with clean water until all foaming residue is rinsed away. 
4. Allow the surface to dry completely

Application

Only work in frost-free and dry conditions and avoid application of DuroGrit when rain is expected within 10 hours of application.

1. Stir the product thoroughly for a few minutes before use.
2.  Apply a generous coat of DuroGrit and distribute evenly to the surface using a high-quality, firm bristle paint brush suitable for waterborne coatings.
3. Work in the direction of the wood installation, ensuring to cover the full length of each deck board or cladding. For vertically installed boards, apply from top to bottom; for horizontally installed wood, apply from left to right (or vice versa).
4. Work in small sections approximately 1 or 2 boards wide. 
5. Avoid stopping in the middle of the board; usa natural breaks as boundaries to divide large areas into smaller, more manageable sections. 
6. Maintain a wet edge. 
7. Allow to dry for approximately 3 hours. Complete curing occurs after 3 days (at 68°F/20°C). For deck stain applications, allow 3 hours for light foot traffic under normal weather conditions, but wait 3 days before replacing furniture and resuming normal use.
8. Note that low temperatures, poor ventilation, and high relative humidity significantly prolong the drying and curing process. 

       Pro-tip for a smooth finish with DuroGrit

 Apply generously for best results: When applying DuroGrit, ensure you use a generous amount of product. Insufficient application can cause the oil to dry too quickly, resulting in more visible brush marks, and noticeable start/stop lines. Using more product extends the working time, reducing sensitivity to overlaps and improving the overall flow. This approach leads to a smoother finish with fewer brush marks.

Note: In very high temperatures (+86°F/+30°C) you can dilute DuroGrit with between 10-20% water to help with the open time. If adding water is not enough, you can add 10% Open Time Extender instead to extend the open work time and prevent lapmarks. Avoid using Open Time Extender in low temperatures, as this additive significantly prolongs the overall cure time.

Clean up

• Clean tools and equipment immediately after each use with mild soap (or Exterior Wood Cleaner) and water.

Cleaning 

• Regular cleaning/nourishing of the DuroGrit can be done with Exterior Soap. Do not use other cleaning products or detergents as these might affect the protection. 

Maintenance 

• In general we recommend a yearly visual check-up just after the winter season.
• Please check for the presence of the following two points:
  1. Dirt & green deposits; clean with low-pressure water and a soft brush or use Exterior Soap (consult Technical Data Sheet before use)
  2. Fading of colors
• If fading of colors occurs, apply a maintenance coat according to the instructions: 
  1. First clean your wood with Exterior Wood Cleaner.
  2. Then apply a layer of DuroGrit in the original color. Depending on the degree of fading of the color, dilute DuroGrit with a maximum of 40% water to avoid applying too much product and making the color too opaque.
• Unevenly weathered surface?
  1. First touch up bare wood areas by applying DuroGrit undiluted and allow to dry completely.
  2. Then apply a second layer over the entire surface, diluted with 20-40% water depending on the condition.
• Too weathered?
  1. Sand the surface down to bare wood and re-apply DuroGrit.
• The frequency of maintenance depends on the weather conditions, exposure, geographical situation, solar orientation, wood type (softwood vs hardwood), and color. In normal weather conditions, up to 2 years.

Tips

To set you up for success, please review the DuroGrit tips.