Sunday 12 August 2012

Gates Hampshire

Wood Gate Staining - Learn How to Finish Your Garden Gate Like the Pros




A new stained wooden gate blends with old-fashioned to eclectic and modern styles. If the owner of a wooden gate chooses to stain there are many choices to choose from such as oil-based, water-based, gel, and one step stain/finishes. Regardless of which type of stain used, the gate must be sanded smoothly with no raised or rough spots, otherwise the stain will not be even. Always consider your choices carefully before staining  wooden gates.
Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses and a decision must be made concerning which finish best suits the needs of the owner. The easiest type to use is the one step stain as the stain and finish are applied simultaneously therefore eliminating multiple steps. However, a one step finish often covers the grain of the wood as it sits on top of the wood itself. An oil-based stain penetrates the wood but solvents are used for cleanup.
Gel stains are also usually oil-based and have great color control but these stains are more expensive and buffing must be done between coats. A water-based stain tends to be more environmentally friendly than the others as cleanup is by soap and water, but has a tendency to raise the grain of the wood. This can be prevented, though, by conditioning the wood to accept water-based stain before applying. Each type of stain requires careful following of manufacturer's instructions.
When applying anything other than the one-step stains, several layers of stain must be applied to obtain the necessary color. These are applied by rag or paint brush and given a minimum of 15 minutes between coats to allow for penetration. Once the preferred stain color is reached, a wait time of approximately 10 hours is needed before use. If a topcoat of polyurethane is desired for further weather resistance, a minimum of 72 hours is required for the stain to dry before application.
Learn more about custom wood gates and other wood gate maintenance tips at http://www.gardenwoodgates.com - a favorite site for people who need custom wood gates and custom fence gates in the Southern California area.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Raymond

http://www.hampshiregates.com 

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