weatherwash Frequently Asked Questions
STAINS AND COLORATION
COLOR OPTIONS
WOOD SPECIFICATIONS
EXTERIOR USE
PRODUCT RESTRICTIONS
STAINS AND COLORATION
- Color testing
- The WeatherWash quart is your sample size for wood stain and topcoats. Half pints are availlable for toners.
- Make sure to order a sample and test products the reactive products on your wood, prior to ordering for the entire job. Our stains react to the tannin in wood so color variation and working up samples should be expected as a part of the color selection process.
- Working with reactive stains
- Combining and/or layering aging wood stains is okay and looks great!
- Maintain color purity by pouring only the product you need into plastic container before use.
- The organic manufacturing process may create discrepancies from one stain batch to another, please order for your entire job all at once.
- When buying several containers for the same job, pour all the containers into a larger plastic bucket, to avoid batch discrepancies.
- Sanding wood to 80 grit & higher
- We want the wood sanded to 80 grit to really open up the wood grain.
- For smoother finish, you can first sand with 80 grit, then 120 prior to staining.
- After stain dries, you can finish sand with 320 grit. Then topcoat.
- How to sand intricate millwork or veneer
- For intricate millwork and thin veneers sanding with 80 grit may not be optimal. In these cases you can apply a coat of coat of denatured alcohol.
- Why does my stain sample look dark? Here are some reasons:
- Your wood may be higher in tannin than the wood someone used in the inspiration project photo or color swatch.
- Wood that's been very-well sanded may stain darker, because stain can better penetrate wood.
- Textured wood like rough sawn will stain darker, because stain can better penetrate wood.
- Water popped will stain darker, because stain can better penetrate wood.
- Why does my stain sample look light?
- Most commonly, clients apply too little stain their first time using washes. Just try again or use a sponge brush for application to apply a heavier coat of stain.
- Your wood may be lower in tannin than the wood someone used in the inspiration project photo or color swatch.
- The wood has NOT been sanded with 80 grit sandpaper before staining.
- The wood has been sanded above 220 grit before stain was applied.
- The wood has been previously finished, then was stripped and/or sanded.
- To fix light coloration, apply a second coat for darker effects.
- Speeding dry times
COLOR OPTIONS
- WeatherWash has 13 aging wood stain colors. ( Color Chart link)
- Want a darker stain color?
- Make sure you're drenching the wood, clients commonly apply too little wood stain. We recommend using a stiff sponge brush or paint sprayer for ideal application.
- You can quickly and easily layer additional coats of wood stain to achieve darker colors.
- You can pre-sand the wood better. Start with 80 grit and work up to 120 grit.
- You can layer another color for custom shades.
- Try our Clear Maintenance Oil Toner to darken the color.
- Want a lighter stain color?
- You can apply a lighter coat of stain.
- You can avoid pre-sanding the wood. This will keep the wood stain from penetrating all the pores and result in a lighter color.
- WeatherWash wood stains are water-based and adding water will lighten their tannin reactions. When experimenting with water, always remove stain from the can, making sure to measure the amount. Then measure the amount of water. We start with a tablespoon of stain and water.
- Apply our White Maintenance Oil Toner. This toner lightens and cools the color.
- Switch to a lighter shade of WeatherWash, feel free to reach out for custom color recommendations. support@weatherwashcoatings.com
- Want a browner or warmer color?
- Try our Clear Maintenance Oil Toner for warming and browning the color. This product creates a beautiful oiled look.
- Want to increase the cool tones?
- Try our White Maintenance Oil Toner. This toner creates the sun-kissed look of patina while allowing the wood grain to shine through.
WOOD SPECIFICATIONS
- Can I use WeatherWash on wood that has already been stained or painted?
- Aging washes will not work on top of wood that has already been stained, painted, or topcoated.
- Wood should be stripped or sanded prior to using our stains. Then it is okay to apply WeatherWash.
- Often we find applying a two coats looks better on wood that's been stripped.
- Can I use WeatherWash on refinished wood that has been stripped or sanded?
- Aging washes work on refinished wood! Once the first product has been removed- either by stripping wood or sanding it.
- Often we find applying a two coats looks better on wood that's been stripped.
- Can I use wood moisturizers or pretreaters?
- Using wood moisturizer should not be necessary if you have sanded the wood. Moisturizers may alter the color of WeatherWash aging wood stains, so always work up a sample.
- Can I use wood bleach?
- Using wood bleach will lighten WeatherWash Aging washes but can alter the final color and color tone. Always work up a sample first.
- Staining vertical surfaces
- Use a sponge brush for the best color control. Apply full strokes, top to bottom and working right to left or vice versa. More on staining vertical surfaces in this Instagram post: link!
- Using wood fillers
- WeatherWash will NOT age wood fillers. Wood fillers that can be tinted to match the stained wood are a client favorite! More on wood filler in this Instagram post: link!
EXTERIOR USE
- Can I use WeatherWash on pressure treated wood?
- You bet! Pressure treating wood will have little to no effect on the color!
- WeatherWash exterior aging wood stains
- WeatherWash exterior stains typically need to be applied one time and should not need annual reapplication. The wood should continue to weather like barnwood or any other exposed wood with transparent stain applied to it.
- Topcoat exterior projects with WeatherWash Exterior Sealer, which lasts from 2-5 years.
- Using Interior stains outside
- Unlike WeatherWash exterior stains that should only need to be applied one time, WeatherWash interior wood stains are not guaranteed to be color-fast when used outside. Products may lighten over time and may need reapplication.
PRODUCT RESTRICTIONS
- Close lids tightly, lid should make an audible "pop." Air exposure deactivates product.
- Do not store or apply when it's below 50 degrees. Please keep product from freezing!
- Do not store in metal or use with metal paint brushes.
- Do not cross-contaminate with other products.
- Do not work out of the canister. Tannins can transfer by brush and your stain will slowly change color or deactivate.
- If product contains lumps of larger particles.
- Stir and mix your product according to the specifications on the label. If your wood stain or topcoat is not smooth, you can run it through a paint or coatings filter. It's a good idea to do this before using a paint sprayer.
WATCH FOR YOURSELF HOW EASY WEATHERWASH PRODUCTS ARE TO USE!
HOW TO APPLY WEATHERWASH
MATERIALS:
MATERIALS:
- Sandpaper
- Sponge Brush or Spray Gun
- WeatherWash Aging Wood Stains
DRENCH WOODDust off your piece and you're ready to stain. You do not need to use wood moisturizers, beach, or any other wood prep besides sanding.
If you're working on a small project like furniture, cabinetry, etc we recommend using a sturdy 2" or 3" sponge brush. For a large project like a deck, we recommend using a synthetic 3" or 4" brush. |
APPLYUsing a brush or sprayer to apply a heavy coat of stain. Wood should be soaked in stain.
Wood should absorb stain evenly. If stain puddles, use brush to remove standing stain. If using spray application, make sure to strain product prior to applying. Do not dilute. For more on spray application, check out this Instgram post: link. |
LIGHTEN / DARKENOPTIONAL- if you'd like to adjust or tone the colors apply Maintenance Oils!
To lighten and create look of patina use WHITE MAINTENANCE OIL to lighten. Also great how highlighting the grain! To enhance the wood's warm tones or add brown to the color use CLEAR MAINTENANCE OIL |
PROTECTProtect aging washes with any of the WeatherWash brand topcoats. Stained wood will maintain color consistency when using WeatherWash topcoats.
VARNISH: LINK POLYURETHANE: LINK EXTERIOR WOOD SEALER: LINK |
YOU WILL LOVE HOW EASY WEATHERWASH PRODUCTS ARE TO APPLY
WEATHERWASH AGING WOOD STAIN DIRECTIONS:
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WEATHERWASH TONER & TOPCOAT DIRECTIONS:
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WEATHERWASH SAFETY DATA SHEETs (SDS):
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