Charred wood is a kind of wood that offers a beautiful as well as a rustic feel to any piece of furniture. In addition to its aesthetic capabilities, charring wood also provides a stronger and more durable board. As soon as the piece of wood is completely charred, it is covered or protected in a carbon layer because of the burning process. Charred wood offers resistance to fire, insects, water, etc. However, it is still advisable to seal the charred wood, particularly if the wood is for outdoor use. Sealing the charred wood will increase its longevity, appearance, as well as durability. Apart from that, it will also provide an additional layer of protection against chips, peels, as well as cracks.
Step By Step Guide Of Sealing Charred Wood
Charred wood provides a completely beautiful tone as well as texture to any home. When using it outdoor, however, it is very important to seal it properly in order to prevent damage from the elements. Weather can quickly change your wonderful wood patio or deck into a downtrodden shadow of its former self.
Step 1: Brush It Down
Brushing down your wood makes it ready for treatment. Without brushing the wood, it is not possible for the sealant to penetrate the wood’s outer surface, particularly with burnt wood, which has been modified by the Shou Sugi Ban process. It will be resistant to any treatment without brushing the wood. There is no need to brush very much or very hard. A light brushing of the top will be adequate to “open” the wood enough for the sealant in order to permeate through, which is what is needed. Make sure to get rid of any leftover brushing or wood dust before moving on to the next step.
Stain The Grain
The majority of the people are pleased with the look & appearance of Yakisugi wood in its natural state. However, if you are looking to make additional visual alterations by painting or staining the wood, you can do it after completing the brushing process. You can apply any color of paint or staining that you want before allowing the paint to dry before moving on.
Seal It Up
After brushing down the wood and painting it, now it is time to seal it back up. This is simple to do, the key is not to apply the sealant too thick. Most of the people think that if a little sealant is good, then more will be even better, however, that is not the case here. You don’t need a large amount of sealant when it comes to sealing the charred wood.
- Choosing The Right Sealant
One of the most popular & well-known outdoor sealants is polyurethane. There are several types of polyurethane mixtures, some are made with oils, and some are made with water. A general agreement is that oil-based polyurethane is more weather-resistant as compared to water-based polyurethane, and is considered the better choice. For indoor wood furniture as well as floors, you can instead use shellac sealant. Shellac is safer to use when compared to polyurethane and non-toxic, making it perfect for indoor use. The only disadvantage to shellac is that it does not hold up well to water, therefore, using it outdoors makes it vulnerable or susceptible to rain. - Different Strokes For Different Folks
If you painted or stained your wood, make sure not to use the same brush. Use a clean brush and delicately soak it in the sealant. Get rid of any overly thick globs that may be on the brush before applying a thin coat of sealant. Start from the inside of the wood and make sure to brush with slow even strokes outward. If you have a nice even layer, then you are done, and you can allow the sealant to set and dry. If the coat is not even, then you need to apply a second layer from the outside in. Touch the sealant while it is drying, particularly, if you are planning to use shellac wood sealant on indoor wood furniture or flooring. Not touching parts of the floor can be a difficult task, which is why the application have a certain characteristic to be inside to outside and then back in. Each product is a bit different, however, typically, you should allow each coat to dry for at least one hour before applying additional coats. Entirely dependent on the type of sealant you are using, extra brushing may also be required. Read & go through your specific sealant’s instructions for the details when it comes to proper application.