Epoxy is a component which is the end product of epoxy resins. Epoxy has been prevalent in use on building as well as on construction following its crucial use when it comes to wood and furniture.
Epoxies may also be referred to as the thermoset plastics, which come from the reactions of several chemical compounds forming this thermoset plastics. The use of epoxy is not only on building and construction but in other industrial and commercial applications.
This is from its unique characteristics, such as high chemical resistance, toughness, strong adhesion, and many other characteristics.
Since epoxy paint is used in coating most furniture and wood parts such as in flooring, the major query on it is whether it will make your wood waterproof. Epoxy will give your wood a durable coating together with providing an amazing coating to other surfaces such as concrete surfaces in garages and basements.
Epoxy will make wood waterproof together with giving it a resilient finish. As a result of this, it is essential in coating wood that you suspect will be highly exposed to wear or moisture.
However, it is not in all cases where epoxy is essential since, at some points, you will have to use it as a sealer before the application of the finish coat. Discussed below is every information you need to know on whether epoxy makes wood waterproof.
Can You Make Wood Waterproof?
It is annoying having the fact that whenever wood comes into contact with moisture and water, it loses its quality. Not only that, but it could also go to the extent of even rotting up in which you cannot use it again; rather, it will need you to replace it again.
Instead of having to cater to such high costs and time wastage, having a solution in making the wood waterproof would be the best solution. This will make the wood to be similar to a plastic material hence increasing its durability together with making it flexible for universal use.
What are the Ways of Making Wood Waterproof?
There are several ways in which you can make your wood to be waterproof. You can use the below methods separately in ensuring that the wood is fully waterproof;
Use of Hand-Rubbed Oil Finish
This includes the use of a finish that is just wiped on the surface of the wood. They are nearly hand-rubbed hence the name. Such finishes include the use of Tung Oil or Linseed Oil.
These types of oils have been used for a long period of time through which they not only make the wood to be waterproof, but they also protect and beautify the grains of wood.
The use of these oils will require a blending together with other ingredients to fasten its drying period. You can either purchase the pre-blended (Linseed Oil and Tung products), or you can custom your own from your home.
A hand-rubbed oil finish will contain the oil either the boiled Linseed or the Tung, polyurethane, and mineral spirits. After this, you will be ready to apply it to your wood for a perfect finish that makes the wood waterproof.
Before you waterproof the wood, know what type of wood you want to waterproof. Hand-rubbed oils are not perfect for the woods that are lighter in color as the oils do yellow over time. Therefore, if you are waterproofing the lighter in color wood, you can opt for the other methods of waterproofing the wood.
How to Apply Hand-Rubbed Oil To the Wood
Follow the following steps to ensure that perfect application is made on the wood for the best results;
- Stir the Finish blend thoroughly.
- Sand and clean the wood you are to apply the hand-rubbed oil.
- Using a natural bristle paintbrush, apply this blend to the wood.
- Allow the oil to soak into the wood surface and then reapply any spots which seem to be dry.
- Wipe off any excess oil while rubbing with a clean rag to ensure that the uniformity of oil applied is maintained.
- Allow for complete drying of the wood, which just needs a few hours without exposing the wood directly to the sun.
- Using fine sandpaper, sand the wood lightly.
- You can repeat the process to provide more coats till it satisfies the size of the coat you need of the hand-rubbed oil.
Use of Sealants
The use of sealants is another one of the sure methods of waterproofing your wood. Some of the major sealants used in waterproofing wood include the use of a Varnish, Lacquer and Polyurethane.
These sealants are either sprayed or brushed into a clean and sanded wood, after which they are then allowed to dry completely after which light re-sanding is done, and then the final coating is done.
The recommended temperature levels for this should be the room temperature environment. Furthermore, unlike the hand-rubbed oil finish, you should never shake the sealants before you apply as they may lead to bubbles that would remain on the surface.
You should give the sealants enough time to ensure they penetrate to the wood completely despite the fact that they dry faster.]
Below are the sealants you can prefer to use;
- Varnish Sealant – It contains a combination of drying oil, solvent and resin that provides a hard-shell which does not get yellowish with time. It will resist sun damage from its UV absorbers.
- Polyurethane Sealant – This is a perfect finish to waterproof your wood through which it is suitable for the light-toned woods as it does not yellow with time. The oil-based polyurethane provides amazing durability in which it requires the use of turpentine or mineral spirits.
- Lacquer Sealant – This sealant contains a combination of a synthetic resin and alcohol. Though it can become yellowish over a long period of time, it provides a unique and warm scratch-resistant finish deep the wood. To ensure that you receive the best from the sealant, ensure you form several coats that are light.
Stain Sealant Combos
In the case that you are working on a big project for waterproofing, the stain-sealant becomes essential. These products provide additional color while making the wood waterproof.
The stain-sealant combos contain additional binders from the color pigments that can be based either from water, oil, or an alkyd. The difference in the concentration will determine the final product to expect whether it will be transparent, translucent, or fully opaque.
You don’t need to wipe off any excess of the stain-sealant combos as they soak inside the wood completely while the excess stain-sealant evaporates.
Can I Use Epoxy On Wood?
Epoxy can fully be used on wood. However, there are some instances in which it is not advisable to be used as a finish due to some reasons. Nevertheless, you can as well get the full benefits of using epoxy as a sealer before finish coat application.
Where epoxy is used as a sealer, it might take you more time before your project is complete. However, the extra effort put towards using epoxy on wood as a sealer, will provide higher durability to the wood together with lowering the maintenance costs for your wood.
To ensure that you have the perfect use and full use of epoxy, you will need to follow the following procedure during its application to ensure that the sealing and finishing is done properly;
- Sanding – Sanding the wood is inevitable. This is to ensure that the wood surface remains free from voids and spots and ensuring that it is fully smooth.
- Cleaning – After sanding your wood surface, you will need to remove and clean away all the dust from the wood surface using a piece of clean cloth. The reason for this is so as what is left on the wood surface will be combined together with the surface permanently on the application of epoxy.
- Removal Optimizer – To ensure that you face no difficulties removing your wood from any surface, you can place the wood on top of a drop cloth or newspapers as epoxy is normally difficult to remove from any surface.
- Stirring Epoxy Resin – At this step, you will need to pour your epoxy resin together with the hardener in a clean can. After this, you should then stir it slowly and then thoroughly through the use of a paint stick.
- Epoxy Application – With the use of a bristle brush, apply epoxy. The application should be made gently from the middle, moving towards the edges of the wood surface. Furthermore, you should ensure that you maintain working from the wet to the dry areas.
- Dry Spots Rechecking – After you are finished applying the epoxy, you need to check whether there are some dry spots or runs as you paint. This is to ensure that there is a consistent coating maintained during the epoxy application. If there are some dry spots, reapply the epoxy to ensure you maintain a constant coating.
- Drying the Wood – To ensure that your applied wood surface is fully safe with enough epoxy coating and finish, you will require to provide it with enough time to dry at a dust-free room that will not affect the project. Give it at least 24 hours for complete drying before you use your project.
What Do You Seal Wood With Before Epoxy?
Though you can opt to have epoxy resin being both the sealer as well as the finish, one might decide to have a different sealer for sealing the wood before epoxy. Generally, Stains will be perfect to seal the wood with before epoxy.
Nevertheless, you need to be very careful to ensure that the end product will be favorable to what you expect. This is so as the appearance and bonding of stain and epoxy could disappoint you. You can do this just as a test on some scrap.
If it is favorable to the results, you expect, ensure to apply the stain first and then apply epoxy resin. Note that any wood that is already applied with epoxy will be sealed already. After curing, it would then not accept stain. As a result of this, the application of the stain for sealing should come first as it is essential before you apply epoxy.
Lastly, before applying epoxy, ensure that the stain has fully been cured. This is to ensure that the stain provides the sealing of the wood before you apply epoxy resin.
Final Words
Epoxy is a great finish that will give you an amazing waterproof experience to wood. Furthermore, considering that epoxy is similar to the thermoset plastics, you will have enough protection of the wood against chemicals.
This is so as epoxy resins are chemical resistant leading to the high durability of your furniture. The use of epoxy has dominated the wood finishing field, currently have proven to be a perfect solution in giving the best protection for your wood.
Provide your wood surfaces with epoxy to ensure that they are fully waterproof as well as giving them a perfect finish to suit the needs of durability and low maintenance costs.