We recommend using our Exterior Finish for all outside siding, decks and exposed timbers because it is easy to use, repair, maintain and looks great without any flaking or cracking like most film forming products. Our Exterior Finish works especially well with hardwoods such as Black Locust, Epay and other dense woods which are longer lasting in tough outdoor conditions, as well as softer woods like Cedar and Douglas Fir. Our Exterior Finish protects wood from the inside out with high quality oils and resin plus the UV blocker added helps slow the natural greying process for exposed woods and the mildewcide additive helps resist fungus and mildews. Our Exterior Finish is clear and dries to a matte sheen, showing off your wood’s natural brilliance Keeping the wood oiled is the best protection over time and will help whatever wood you choose, age with beauty and grace.

APPLICATION:

Shake or stir your Exterior Finish well before each use if it’s been sitting for long periods. Try to avoid application in direct sunlight or rain. Test our product first on a small test surface to make sure you like it and the oil is penetrating. In some applications, such as a log home, or with concerns for high mildew areas, initial treatment with a borate salt solution should be considered for long-term protection against mold, insects, and sap stain, as well as “breaking” the mill glaze (break the “mill glaze” by lightly sanding the surface first to increase penetration). Apply to woodwork of any type, using a real lambswool applicator, pump-up or airless sprayer, oil brush, or cotton rag. On logs and timbers, fill all checks and cracks with the product. This will greatly reduce further checking, even on freshly sawn species such as oak.

Clean the wood surface and using a wet-on-wet technique (which means the coats don’t have to be dry between applications), apply only as much finish as the wood will absorb in a day and then buff off excess or any pooled up oil as needed to avoid tackiness and a glossy look in certain areas. For a log or timber frame home exterior, apply 2 to 4 wet-on-wet coats, depending on how much oil the wood will absorb.

The oiled surface should feel dry to the touch the first week but the finish will reach it’s final curing and hardening process in 3 to 4 weeks time. Re-coat every year for best protection, especially on the south exposed side or areas where direct moisture is present. To determine when you need another coat simply notice how dry the wood is, if water soaks in or if the surface is beginning to fade in color. Then re-coat as needed. The UV protection is good for about 5 years on a full exposed south side and the mildewcide is active for two years.

Heritage Natural Finishes are very durable and easy to maintain. You can repair areas by rubbing in more finish to abrasions, scuffs and scratches with an abrasive pad the buff out. The easy nature of our finishes prevents most problems other finishes have with air bubbles and lap marks. The wood should ideally be bare, free of dust and dirt, and untreated.

97% Bio-based.

Coverage:

Approx. 350 square feet per gallon or 500 board feet per gallon; rough-sawn materials tend to absorb more. You get less coverage on the first coat and more on the second. You also get more coverage on harder wood species versus softer species like pine. How wet the wood is will also vary the coverage numbers as well.

Clean Up:

For spills, over spray, or to clean up brushes, use our Pure Citrus Solvent or other solvent (Turpentine, Mineral Spirits, etc.).

*For additional protection against insects, consider treating all wood with a borate solution before oiling.

Sizes:

4oz sample size, quarts, one gallon paint can, 3 gallon steel pail with pour spout lid, 5 gallon steel pail with pour spout lid, and 55 gallon drums.