Use and Care Manual

Horizontal Substrates:
• You or your contractor can bleach after construction allowing too dry to 12% moisture benchmark before
staining.
• There are natural-organic compounds--lignins--that are present in the wood fibers that lend to only allowing
shallow penetration because of their density, but again, as age and exposure break down their properties
through expansion and contraction opening the fibers, then accepting the two coat protocol for maximum four
year protection of your investment being realized.
• Probably, the third or fourth year, you will be able to apply two coats.
One more suggestion. If your pressure treated material is green tinted, you can remove the green by applying
oxalic acid. You can acquire at most paint stores. Spray on and allow to dry as the green disappears reaching
the desired 12% moisture content. Then apply Ready Seal. Two light coats or one heavy coat.
Preparation Process
- Surface must be clean of mildew, dust, dirt, oil and grease.
- Ready Seal recommends applying one part bleach and three parts water.
- All previous stains and sealers must be completely removed.
- Caustic strippers must be neutralized thoroughly.
- Rinse thoroughly with water. Before staining, wood must dry for 48 hours or more depending on weather conditions.
- Protect against overspray and cover all plants and vegetation with plastic drop cloth before applying Ready Seal.
- Take special precautions when working around porous stone and concrete surfaces, Ready Seal is a penetrating stain, and will penetrate any porous surface.
Note: After cleaning, a water test will determine if all previous coatings are totally removed. If deck materials absorb water and
does not bead, then it will receive the two coats!
Tips and Hints
- Pour buckets with the spout at the 12 o’clock position to avoid sloshing and spills
- When pouring stain into sprayers of other containers, always pour while standing over grass or a tarp, not over driveways or concrete.
- Use cardboard or spray shields to help control overspray.
- Because oil is lighter than water, wetting surfaces such as driveways, patios or plants prior to application prevents unwanted stains on such items. Ready Seal® floats on
top of the water, and will not soak into wet surfaces. Rinsing areas again after staining washes away the floating oils.
- Never spray Ready Seal® on windy days.
- Brush areas of fences or decks that are close to a house or garage first. Brushing out a few feet allows for prevention of overspray on brick or siding.
- Always keep a gallon of paint thinner or mineral spirits close by to clean any spills immediately.
- When spraying fences, buy a four foot wide roll of construction paper and lay sections of it right up to the base of the fence. The paper will protect the grass next to the
fence from overspray and spills.
How long do I need to wait for my new wood to dry?
- New Cedar
- - 2-4 week dry time depending on temperature, porosity of surface, humidity and geographic location, to adequately absorb of Ready Seal.
- New Pine, Spruce or Fir
- - 1-3 week dry time, depending on temperature, porosity of surface, humidity and geographic location, to adequately absorb of Ready Seal.
- New Pressure Treated lumber
- - Minimum of 1 month dry time and recommended 2-3 month aging time depending on temperature, porosity of surface, humidity and geographic location, to adequately
absorb Ready Seal.
How much stain do I need?
Wood Type
Sqft/gal
Spruce Fence 150
Cedar Siding (smooth) 150
Cedar Fence 125
Cedar Siding (rough) 125