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Application Questions for ProStain
Q. What sort of coverage will I get from
ProStain
A. ProStain was designed to provide optimal protection at a spread rate of 200
square feet per gallon. If the wood is very dry and porous you may get less
than that. If the wood is very wet or has a tight, dense grain you may get more
coverage. For estimating material usage a figure of 150-sq. ft/gal is usually
very safe.
Q. How do I control my coverage or
spread rate?
A. The easiest way is to compare how much stain you have used to how much wood
you have covered. If you have only used one gallon and you have covered 400
square feet you are probably applying to thin. If you have gone through one
gallon of stain and covered less than 150 square feet you may be over applying.
Make adjustments as necessary.
Q. Will ProStain show lap marks or runs?
A. ProStain was designed to cure very slowly over 24 hours. Under normal
conditions it will be dry to the touch within 20 to 30 minutes. Once it is dry
to the touch it will show lap or drip marks. Lap or drip marks will present as
a darker shade with more of a glossy finish.
Q. Can lap or drip marks be removed?
A. Yes, any time before the finish is completely dry lap or drip marks can be
removed by rubbing them with a dry cloth. If the finish has already begun to
cure a rag that is damp with mineral spirits will work better.
Q. How do I clean my tools after using
ProStain?
A. Brushes, rollers, pads and other tools can be cleaned either with mineral
spirits or soap and water. For the quickest clean up hoses and spray equipment
can simply be rinsed with mineral spirits.
Q. How long does it take ProStain to
dry?
A. The dry time for ProStain depends on a countless number of variables. Most
importantly it will depend on the moisture of the wood when you stain it. The
temperature of the wood, the humidity and wind conditions will also influence
the drying time. Under controlled conditions ProStain is dry to the touch in 20
to 30 minutes when applied to dry wood at a temperature of about 75 degrees.
The higher the moisture content of the wood is the longer it will take to dry.
Q. How soon can I walk on a deck stained
with ProStain?
A. As soon as the wood is dry it will take light foot traffic. It is important
to stay off the deck for 24 hours to let the finish properly cure.
Q. What will happen if it rains right
after I finish applying ProStain?
A. In most cases ProStain will withstand a light rain within minutes of
application. Once the finish is dry to touch it will take a moderate to heavy
rain with little to no adverse effect.
Q. What is the maintenance cycle for
ProStain (How long does it last)?
A. When properly applied ProStain should last through two seasons on deck floors
requiring maintenance the third year. On vertical surfaces maintenance may be
required in the fifth or sixth year. In many cases the finish will last far
beyond these expectations.
ProStain was designed as a superior finishing system. It is loaded down with
microground transoxide pigments to provide rich lasting color. This formula
contains the same level of biocides and anti-fungal agents found in many 20-year
exterior paints. The engineered resin was designed to simulate fats, sugars and
oils found natural in wood. Most importantly the unique matrix created by our
proprietary drying system will lock the protection into the wood while locking
the elements out.
Q. What color is ProStain going to be
when it dries?
A. ProStain is a semi-transparent stain that uses microground transoxide
pigments to provide color and help protect against UV Damage. The warm honey
gold color of ProStain enhances the natural beauty of the wood.
Because the finish is semi-transparent it will dry to a
different color on all types of wood. On red cedar it will finish darker than
on yellow pine. Most often it will look similar to the way the wood looks when
wet. The base way to know for sure is to test ProStain in a small inconspicuous
area to determine the finish color.
Q. I did a test patch on some red cedar
siding and the customer thinks it looks too dark what can I do?
A. Remember bleaching wood is actually harmful to the wood. Only bleach when
absolutely necessary and do not over do it by allowing the bleach to dwell for
too long on the surface. With Oxalic Acid or household bleach be prepared to
rinse just as soon as you have achieved the desired amount of lightening. Keep
in mind, any oils and sugars you "burn"out of the wood will need to be replaced
with stain. That means the more bleaching you do, the more stain you will use.
Q. Can ProStain be thinned with paint
thinner or mineral spirits?
A. Yes, ProStain can easily be thinned with mineral spirits. Please note
that modifying the formula by adding mineral spirits will change the VOC
content. Please check your local VOC regulations to insure that you remain
compliant.
Q. Does thinning ProStain change it's
performance in any way?
A. Yes, thinning the product will change virtually every aspect of the stain.
Everything from the richness of color to longevity of performance will be
reduced proportionally to the amount of thinner added. The solids content of
ProStain is so high that it can be cut by half and still be of a higher quality
than most popular paint store brands of stain. The pigments in ProStain are so
abundant that even when cut 50/50 there is still plenty of UV protection. When
you cut 50/50 do not expect the system to perform beyond one year. ProStain has
never been tested beyond a 50/50 reduction.
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