Warranty Guide

PHONE [phone] / FAX [phone] / POST OFFICE BOX 2429 / WHITE CITY, OREGON / 97503
TURNCRAFT
®
POST DEFENSE™ PORCH POSTS
PRODUCT INFORMATION AND LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
ALL POST DEFENSE POSTS REQUIRE PAINTING PRIOR TO INSTALLATION
DE C AY T H R I V E S O N M O I S T U R E
Decay damage is a major concern of everyone who owns property. And it’s no wonder! Current estimates show that replacement
material, required to repair decay damage, consumes up to 10% of the U.S. annual wood production.
Although wood looks and feels solid, it’s actually made of millions of porous, thick-walled cells that are bound together. And given the
right conditions, decay fungi can thrive, break down this cellular structure, and ultimately destroy wood. The greatest risks for decay are
at exposed wood ends such as the bottom ends of porch posts where moisture is more readily absorbed than on the side surfaces. Once
decay has begun, it offers a natural environment for termites and other wood-destroying insects, which can cause additional, serious
damage to the wood’s integrity.
Decay needs certain conditions to thrive, including:
1. A moisture content of about 25% or higher
2. Oxygen
3. Food
4. A temperature in the general range of 45 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit
Among these conditions, controlling moisture is the most practical means of preventing or inhibiting the growth of decay. However, many
conditions exist where moisture cannot be completely controlled. In these circumstances, Post Defense provides an effective
preservative system for the prevention and control of moisture and fungal decay in wood.
Turncraft’s Post Defense Posts have a factory applied acrylic primer. This acrylic primer is formulated to provide a high quality base for a
wide variety of commercially available topcoats with good resultant adhesion and durability. This primer prepares the surface of the
posts for the topcoat, but will not seal out the moisture. The post requires painting with a high quality acrylic latex based exterior paint to
protect the post from moisture.
Post Defense Porch Posts are sealed with a technically advanced moisture barrier seal at the bottom end. This barrier needs to be left
intact to help prevent moisture from wicking into the bottom of the post. The bottom and top of the posts need to be painted with two
primer coats and two top coats of a high quality latex based exterior paint, then sealed with a high quality caulk spread on both ends to
keep moisture out. The posts need to be installed on a Quick-Mount™ plastic plinth, elevated bracket, or aluminum plinth to elevate
them above any moisture. All surfaces need at least two coats of high quality acrylic latex based exterior grade paint. All of these steps
need to be done prior to installation.
CARE AND FINISHING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Porch posts are not designed to be used in a free standing application. An internal structural support will be required on free
standing applications. Top must be completely covered and sealed to prevent moisture from entering top of post.
2. If the porch post is not factory primed, it must be primed on all sides and the ends immediately upon delivery with a high-quality
acrylic primer. The porch post must not be cut or trimmed from the bottom (the end with the brown moisture seal and stamped
“Paint before installing”), and the moisture barrier seal must be left intact. Any trimming must be done from the top end of the
porch post to maintain the warranty. All surfaces of the post, including the top and bottom of the post, must be painted with two
coats of premium quality paint immediately before exposure to the elements and prior to installation. In addition to the two
topcoats, the bottom of the post must be completely covered with caulking, and an elevated bracket, aluminum plinth, or plastic
post plinth must be installed under the post.
3. Surfaces to be painted must be thoroughly dry and free of dust, dirt, oil, grease, wax, chalk, and other contaminants.
4. Primer is formulated to provide a high-quality base for a wide variety of commercially available topcoats with good resultant
adhesion and durability. Because it is designed to accept topcoats, a primer by nature is highly filled (flat) and will chalk and break
down slowly with UV exposure if not topcoated within a short time span. Two coats of high-quality acrylic paint must be applied
prior to installation. Each coat of paint should be applied evenly. Make certain that the surfaces are dry before applying another
coat. Again, be sure to apply paint in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Temperature and humidity have a major effect on drying and may affect paint film characteristics. Paint should be applied at
product, surface, and air temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit unless the product label specifies differently. Relative
humidity should be below 85%.