Wood And Metal Coatings

Wood Coatings: Using wood as a building material is very popular nowadays due to growing demand for natural products which are non-polluting and environmentally friendly, add elegance, warmth, harmony and gorgeous look to your room. Wood can be used in many ways inside and outside the house e.g. furniture, floors, fences, decks...

Extreme weather conditions, moisture, sunlight, dirt, scratches and fungi can damage the wood over the time therefore we need to protect the wood so that it looks beautiful and good as new for a long time. Using wood coatings we can protect the wood from the elements while leaving its natural beauty exposed. The benefits of all coatings depend on proper maintenance of the coating.  No coating will last forever, and need to be periodically reapplied. As wood is a natural material and there are so many different kinds, it is difficult to define the best suitable wood coatings.

Choosing the right wood coating can be very hard when you see all the paint cans at the hardware store. The coatings have to protect the wood, be durable, easy to clean and they also have to look good.

Always use primers before applying the top coat. Primers are the base coats to which the surface coat adheres. They seal and protect the wood by bonding to the wood.

Wood coatings generally include paints, stains, varnishes and water repellents. There are number of ways to classify the coatings.

We can categorize the coatings according their base as water based (latex paints) and solvent based (oil or alkyd paints).

Due to increase in environmental regulatory requirements and customer demand, water based coatings dominate the market and are suitable for almost any wood surface. Compared to solvent based coatings these dry faster, have little odours, can be cleaned up with water, are more flexible and fade much less. They provide a tough finish, but also let the surface breathe allowing moisture evaporation. These coatings are easy to apply usually brushed on or wiped on with a rag, and then wiped off to control the depth of the stain. If applied properly they don’t leave brush or lap marks.

Oil based paints are often chosen for areas requiring a high level of protective finish usually for exterior wood. These paints do less well in areas with strong sunlight.

Wood stain is designed to add colour to the wood while leaving the grain and texture of the wood mostly visible. Most wood stains for interior uses (e.g. floors and furniture) require further application of varnish or finish for protection and gloss.

Varnish is a blend of oils and resins that gives wood a transparent, protecting coating allowing the beauty of the wood to show through. It can have gloss, semi gloss or satin finish.

All wood preservatives must contain an EPA registered fungicide to classify as wood preservatives. These are used for untreated wood and should be reapplied regularly. Since they provide no protection against moisture or water, water repellency must be formulated into the product.

Water repellents minimize water damage and some of them also contain mildewcide to help control mould and mildew growth. Some water repellents, wood toners add colour to highlight wood grain. These are not considered to be stains but give wood the benefit of ultraviolet light protection.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are present in most paints, particularly in alkyd paint. These are chemical compounds that create ozone by reacting with elements in the air. Look for the "Green Seal" mark, indicating that the paint is free from, or contains low amounts of environmentally-unfriendly additives. It is possible to buy VOC-free paint from special suppliers.

Traditional paints are made from natural substances. Mostly used in period homes that requires an authentic finish. Such paints include whitewash, milk paint and flour paint. If you like experimenting with finishes, then you may enjoy making your own traditional paint.

Decorative paint finishes are usually used on smaller areas, such as wooden furniture and accessories. Choose from crackle glaze, metallic paint, stone paint, textured paint and even suede paint. With a little know-how and practice, you can even create your own decorative paint finish; faux marble, distressed and sponge effects etc.

Metal Coatings: Same as with wood there are so many possibilities for decorating and protecting metal around the home and garden, whether you intend to banish rust or add some colour to your metal items. Any metal exposed to the weather should be painted as often as necessary to prevent it from rusting. Before applying primer the metal has to be cleaned. Once the priming coat is dry, put on the finishing coat. Anti-corrosion and rustproofing finishes are available for metals exposed to harsh or abrasive conditions. Some finishes protect the look of bare metal. Paints come in different colours to change the look of the metal object. The right finish cuts down on maintenance and lengthens the life of metal hardware, appliances or furnishings.

Applying finishing treatment to a metal product brings many advantages:

• Increased durability
• Improved decorative appeal
• Enhanced electrical conductivity
• Higher electrical resistance
• Higher chemical resistance
• Higher tarnish and corrosion resistance
• Potential for vulcanization
• Higher fire rating