Introduction and knowing your timber
Before choosing your stain, varnish or clear finish, it is important to know a little about the timber you will be treating. Each of the popular timbers here have some characteristics that could affect the final outcome of your finish and determine your choice of Cabot’s products.
NOTE: Most hardwoods and some softwoods contain oils, resins and tannins. It is recommended that these timbers be washed with mineral turpentine (when using oil based products) or methylated spirits (when using water based products). This should be done prior to staining or finishing. Wipe off mineral turpentine or methylated spirits with a dry rag. Allow solvents to dry thoroughly.
Oregon
An imported plantation timber mainly used for pergolas and structural framing. It is one of the hardest 'softwoods' and moderately easy to work. Popular because of its availability in long lengths, it has a high resin content which can work its way out and crystallise on the surface of the timber. To remove, leave to dry then scrape off crystals before coating.
Cypress Pine
Cypress Pine is commonly used for structures, poles, flooring, panelling and decking. It is a hard, heavy and fairly strong timber with a tendency to be slightly brittle. It can be worked to a very high polish and takes most finishes well after de-oiling.
Radiata Pine
A commonly available, easy to work, Australian plantation timber used widely for furniture, wall or ceiling lining boards, plywood, particle board and general construction. It is ideal for staining especially when using liming colours. Radiata Pine is susceptible to 'bluestain' which is a fungus that can enter the timber just after it is felled, manifesting itself as blue stain on the timber surface. Removal is not possible and the only way to hide these stains is by using a darker timber stain.
Treated Pine
This is normal Radiata Pine that has been pressure-treated to resist decay, termites and fungi. This treatment involves saturating the timber so it is essential to leave Treated Pine to dry properly before staining. It is widely used for decks, pergolas and fences.
Jarrah
Jarrah is heavy and tough with a slight, pleasant odour. It is reasonably easy to work, although care is needed when nailing to avoid splitting. Jarrah can be highly polished and accepts most finishes well. Use on flooring, panelling, joinery and furniture.
Handy Hints
Grey timber is discoloured timber fibre caused by the weathering process. To remove the grey, sand the timber back to its original colour and apply a protective coating. Deck Clean should be used to rejuvenate and clean grey, weathered timbers.
For best results, always use seasoned or ‘kiln-dried’ timbers. Do not use unseasoned or ‘green’ timbers as penetration of stain will be limited due to the high moisture content, and the timber may warp and twist.
Western Red Cedar
An extremely durable though very soft timber commonly used on weatherboards, fascias, windows, doors and garden furniture. It is easy to work and takes readily to stains and coatings. The uncoated surface of this timber will weather (go grey) more dramatically than any other when used outside. To stop the premature failure of the timber surface and aid coating adhesion, Western Red Cedar should be cleaned and coated upon delivery with one coat of product.
Teak
Teak is a well known imported timber from the Asian region, used widely for both indoor and outdoor furniture. It ranges in colour from golden to dark-brown, and is rich in oils which help impart moderate durability and its characteristic waxy feel. To ensure good adhesion, de-oil the timber before coating.
Merbau (Kwila)
This extremely durable hardwood is resistant to termites and decay, and is most commonly used for timber decking. A rich-brown timber, it is susceptible to tannin bleed which appears as a red-brown colour as water runs off the timber. The best time to apply Cabot’s finishes is when timber starts to lose its red colour.
Brush Box
This hard, dense, light-brown timber is resistant to wear and commonly used in New South Wales and Queensland for interior flooring. Its natural waxiness can cause some adhesion problems with some strong solvent floor finishes, but otherwise it is a good timber for staining and coating.
Victorian Ash (Tasmanian Oak)
Victorian Ash is commonly used for interior applications such as flooring, kitchen cupboards, wall panelling and some furniture. It has a uniform light-beige to light-pink colour and readily accepts stains and coatings.
