8 November 2021

Precoating Your Timber

Precoating before installation is an important step in ensuring the longevity of both the performance and appearance of your timber. Radial Timber can pre-treat your timber in a range of options to suit the aesthetic you are trying to achieve whilst also protecting your timber for years to come.

Why You Should Precoat Your Timber?

Timber precoating is a crucial step to take when using timber for your home or commercial use. All timber exposed to the elements will eventually form fine surface checking, over time and if not maintained properly these cracks can begin to open up. To nourish the timber and slow down the process we recommend at least an oil based sealer like Radial Timber Sealer is applied before installation to help protect and increase the performance of the timber.

What Product Should Be Used For Timber Precoating?

A few things to take into consideration are; All exposed timber should be protected to some degree. What aesthetic are you trying to achieve? Do you want the timber to retain its colour or naturally grey off? (all timber will grey if exposed to weather and left uncoated) Is the timber easily accessible for recoating and maintenance? Is a water based or oil based product better for my application? How will my timber weather once exposed to the elements? Are their obstructions or differing weather direction which will affect the weathering pattern of my timber? All these questions should be considered and agreed upon in the design phase and should not be an afterthought.

Give our expert staff a call to discuss what option will suit your application and specific circumstances.

Oil Based Timber Finish

Radial Timber offers a range of different oil based timber finishes. This range is usually designed for dressed timber to protect it from the harsh Australian climate.

Radial Timber Sealer

Radial Timber Sealer is clear oil that helps to repel and control moisture which will minimise checking and splitting while also helping the timber to acclimatise to its new surroundings. It will go on clear and allow the timber to grey off naturally generally 6-12 months (depending on exposure). It can be applied to all hardwoods for external use.

Aussie Clear Light

Aussie Clear Light is tinted (pigment) oil that helps to repel and control moisture which will minimise checking and splitting while also helping the timber to acclimatise to its new surroundings. The colour of the oil will maintain up to 12-18 months (depending on exposure) and will need to be reapplied to keep the colour in the timber. It can be applied to all hardwoods for external use.

Aussie Walnut

Aussie Walnut is tinted (pigment) oil that helps to repel and control moisture which will minimise checking and splitting while also helping the timber to acclimatise to its new surroundings. The colour of the oil will maintain up to 12-18 months (depending on exposure) and will need to be reapplied to keep the colour in the timber. It can be applied to all hardwoods for external use.

Water Based Timber Finish

Radial Timber’s water-based timber finishes offer unique colour options. This range is generally designed for roughsawn or sawnfaced timber products as the loose fibres help absorb the stain and helps create a longer lasting coat.

Rustic Grey

Rustic Grey is tinted (pigment) stain. With its recycled look, the intention is to give your timber a much more consistent weathering pattern. The colour of the stain will maintain up to 18-24 months (depending on exposure) you can then either re-coat to keep that colour or let the timber naturally weather off underneath in exposed areas. It is suitable for rough or fine sawn timbers as the water based make up absorbs to the fibres creating a long lasting coat.

Charcoal Black

Charcoal Black is a dark tinted (pigment) stain intended to look like charred timber without the price tag. The colour of the stain will maintain up to 18-24 months (depending on exposure) Recoating will be required to keep the charred black look. It is suitable for rough or fine sawn timbers as the water based make up absorbs to the fibres creating a long lasting effect. When using Black on timber cladding some extra movement should be expected due to the colour absorbing more sunlight.