When you invest in a beautiful wooden deck, it's important to protect it with a saturator. However, it can happen that the surface becomes sticky after the product has been applied. Fortunately, this can be avoided by following a few simple tips. Find out how to deal with sticky decking after saturation.
The causes of sticky decking
A wooden terrace is an essential decorative element for any home. One of the best ways to enhance the beauty of your terrace, and by extension your outdoor space, is to apply a wood saturator. Wood saturators are liquid products that impregnate the wood thoroughly, preserving the natural wood effect and protecting your decking or garden furniture from the elements.
However, applying a saturator or wood oil can sometimes leave an unpleasant sticky residue. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, incomplete drying can lead to a sticky feeling on the wooden deck. It's important to respect the drying time recommended by the product manufacturer and to avoid walking on the deck before the product has completely dried.
Applying too much product or too much thickness can also make the terrace sticky. It's important to apply the product in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and avoid applying too much. Not all woods have the same impregnability and don't always require several coats of application. For terraces made from exotic Ipé wood, for example, a single coat is generally sufficient, as this exotic wood has low porosity. The same applies to other exotic woods such as Itauba, Cumaru and Garapa, to name but a few
Finally, in the case of oil-based oils or saturants, the product often leaves a sticky feel even after it has dried completely. This is particularly the case with products composed solely of oil. This is due to the very nature of oils, which tend not to dry completely or may have difficulty penetrating the wood. So it's important to choose the right product to avoid this problem.
Solutions to correct the problem
When wood decking becomes sticky after the application of a saturator or oil, it's important to find a solution. If after waiting a long time to dry, and in optimal conditions, the wood is still sticky, then the best solution to the problem is to clean the deck with a suitable product.
Effective cleaning of the sticky product requires a specific wood cleaner that effectively dissolves the saturator or oil on the surface. It's important to choose a non-corrosive product that won't damage your wooden surfaces.
Before applying the treatment, brush the wooden decking with a brush to remove debris and dirt. Then apply the product to the sticky areas of the deck or to the whole deck, and leave to work for the time recommended by the manufacturer. Rinse the cleaner thoroughly with clean water to remove all dissolved residues and dirt.
Tips to avoid sticky decking in the future
To avoid the problem of sticky decking the next time you renovate your exterior, it's essential to follow good practice when applying wood saturator.
Use the right type of saturator for your terrace
Choosing the right type of wood saturator is vital if you want to achieve the best possible finish without any sticky residue. There are many different types of wood saturator, each adapted to a specific species and use. So it's important to choose the right product for your wood deck. The wrong choice can cause problems with sticky decking. Anova Bois, the benchmark in outdoor wood care and protection products, offers top-quality saturators for a wide range of wood species: autoclaved, exotic (Ipé, Teak, Garapa, Cumaru, etc.), local softwoods,…
Respect the saturator drying time
The drying time of the saturator is crucial to prevent the decking from becoming sticky. It's important to respect the recommended drying time before setting foot on the terrace or installing furniture. This allows the product to penetrate the wood and dry completely.
Before applying a saturator, you must prepare the deck first. It is important to treat the surface properly. This involves obtaining a clean, healthy surface. You can clean the wood beforehand to remove :
- the dirt
- the mould,
- the moss and biofilm...
Make sure the surface is completely dry before applying the maintenance product.
Respect the right climatic conditions for application
Ideally, the saturator should be applied when the outside temperature is between 10 and 25°C. If the temperature is too high, the saturator may dry too quickly and not have time to penetrate the wood properly, leaving a sticky surface. At the same time, a temperature that is too low can delay the drying of the product. The saturator should not be applied to wet wood. Finally, it should not rain within 24 hours of the application.
