How to Apply Sealer to Wood?

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Overall, sealing is not as difficult as staining woods.

However, you should spend some time learning proper tips for sealing to complete your wooding projects fast and effectively.

You can refer to the tutorial of Derek Helms, as well as checking ours.

Step 1: Picking up a suitable sealer

Get started with choosing the sealer based on the nature of the wood projects.

Traditionally, people often use a white shellac sealer. However, it is impossibly used with water so you need to seek other choices.

Now, polyurethane sealers are popular due to the multiple benefits. Accordingly, the material is excellently resistant to tears, abrasion, fair chemicals, and weather. Also, the polyurethane can be used for various joint sizes.

As a result, we recommend using a polyurethane water sealer to protect your outdoor wood furniture.

Step 2: Choosing a tool to apply the sealer

You can seal the wood with a brush, a paint roller, or even a sprayer.

  • Sealing with a brush: You can completely control the amount of sealer to ensure an even application and to cover and in-between the boards of furniture. Nonetheless, it takes time.
  • Sealing with a roller: A paint roller will fasten your work, but it reduces the control over the sealer. Normally, you have to go over the wood several times to have everything smoothly coated.
  • Sealing with a sprayer: This the fastest and cleanest way to get the wood seal projects done. At the same time, you have the least control and even waste more sealer.

Step 3: Cleaning the wood surface beforehand

Before you start the sealing project, please ensure that your wood surface is clean and clear from dust, grains, or so.

If you stain the wood in advance, you must also wait for the stain to dry completely.

Step 4: Getting a suitable amount of sealer

Whatever tool you choose to seal the wood, you must clean it throughout.

For example, apply a thin sealer with a clean brush. Next, flow it along the grain of the wood – evenly and quickly so that all surfaces are covered.

Especially, you must pay attention to the end grain which might absorb more stains than the rest. That grain should be applied more sealer, then.

Step 5: Covering the wood with several sealing coats, if needed

Wait one or two hours for the first sealing coat to dry completely. Then, apply other coats depending on the nature of the wood projects.

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