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Experts on call, 7 days a week
Even More Help
Australian Timber Oil
®
GET IT RIGHT
PROJECT CHECKLIST
PREP FOR POTENTIAL
Clean it!
Use Cabot
®
Wood Cleaner to remove dirt, grime,
mildew and other contaminants.
• One gallon of Cabot Ready-to-Use Wood
Cleaner cleans about 200 sq. ft.
• Just apply with pump sprayer and work into dirtiest
spots with a bristle brush. Let cleaner sit on surface
15-20 minutes, then rinse with a hose.
• Some dead gray wood fibers may also rinse
o, which is normal (and desirable!)
• Let dry completely (24-48 hours).
Sand it!
• Even new wood needs cleaning and sanding with 80-100-
grit sandpaper to remove shiny “mill glaze” and open wood
pores for even stain penetration. (You can test the surface
with a few drops of water to see if it beads up or absorbs.)
• Previously stained and weathered surfaces need to be
sanded first (to bare wood, if coated) and then cleaned.
Brighten it!
Use Cabot Wood Brightener to remove
unsightly rust stains and tannin bleed.
• One gallon brightens about 200 sq. ft.
• Just apply with pump sprayer and work into stains with
bristle brush. Let sit 15-20 minutes, then rinse with hose.
• Cabot Wood Brightener also returns wood to its
lighter original color, which is important if you’re
using a more translucent stain this time.
• Let dry completely (24-48 hours).
Sand it!
• Sand after cleaning and brightening, because these raise the
wood grain a little … and sanding will restore a smooth surface.
• Be sure to remove any sanding dust before
staining, or stain will show the dust.
Notes
Stain it!
Apply your stain.
• Use a high-quality natural bristle brush or pad
applicator. The Cabot Stain Brush and Pad Applicator
are sized to fit decking boards so you can make fewer
passes, and they hold more stain without dripping.
• Starting at one end of project, heavily coat the cut end
of two or three boards at a time, then work your way
down the boards to the other end of the project.
• If using a brush, work each new section back
into the last section to avoid lap marks.
• For furniture, rub stain into the wood
grain with a soft, dry cloth.
• Celebrate! Most projects need only one coat.
Let dry 24-48 hours (depending on temper ature
and humidity) before you walk on it.
• If you can give it another day or two to cure
before replacing the furniture, all the better!
Relax!
You’ve got the sweetest deck in the neighborhood.
STAIN FOR
SUCCESS
Where local laws require it,
Cabot uses lower-VOC formulas.
Both work great, but white
label Australian Timber Oil
allows for damp wood staining,
which shortens project time!
©Valspar CBT 477/16
Australian Timber Oil
®
Translucent three-oil protection
enriches the natural look of wood. For
wood in new or excellent condition.
GET IT RIGHT
PROJECT CHECKLIST
Resist Temptation!
We know it’s the least
“fun” part of the job,
but prep is where
the magic happens.
Skimp here—stain
over dirt, grime, rust
stains or mildew—and
you’ll end up with color you didn’t want and protection
that doesn’t last. Do it right. You’ll thank yourself later!
Wait for a Dry Spell.
Stain protects by penetrating wood
pores – which won’t happen if they’re already full of water.
That’s why it’s important to let wood dry in the open air for
24-48 hours before staining. (If it rains, start the clock again!)
No Sweat.
You’ll be happy to know that staining
on too hot a day is NOT recommended. Speaking of
hot, don’t try to stain a hot deck surface, and avoid
staining in full (and blazing) noontime sun.
Protect your Plantings.
Cover nearby
bushes and flowers and, if they’re delicate, hose
them down thoroughly before and after cleaning
to dilute any stray cleaning solution.
Pretest Color
in a hidden spot, using a dry or
damp rag. Make sure you like it before you begin!
Stir Now, Stir Later
to keep color consistent. For the
same reason, mix multiple gallons together before starting.
BEFORE YOU START
SUPPLIES
Cabot
®
Australian Timber Oil
Cabot
®
Wood Cleaner
Cabot
®
Wood Brightener
Pump sprayer
Stir stick
Natural bristle brush or pad applicator
Sanding block or pole sander (120–180-grit sandpaper)
Drop cloth(s) to protect nearby plants
Safety goggles and other protective gear
We’re here to help.
Every project is unique. This checklist follows a
“typical” project and yours might vary. So don’t
be shy about asking questions – it’s why we’re
here! Call 1-800-US-STAIN for expert advice and
encouragement 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Weather
50°F – 90°F
Fair and Dry
Coverage
400–600 sq. ft.
Durability
2–3 Years
Shown in Amberwood
MAXIMUM WOODGRAIN
GOOD PROTECTION
NO VISIBLE WOOD GRAIN
MAXIMUM PROTECTION
OPACITY PROTECTION SCALE
Clear Wood
Protector
Australian
Timber Oil
®
Wood
Toners
Semi-
Transparent
Semi-Solid Solid
Deck
Correct
®
Gold
Spar
Varnish
Australian
Timber Oil
®
2– 3 Years
Durability
Stained
UNPREPPED
PREPPED
BEFORE
AFTER
BrightenerCleaner
BEFORE
AFTER
STAIN
like a pro.
Download and follow the easy
steps on the Project Checklist.
Tiña como un profesional.
Descargue y siga los sencillos pasos de la Lista
de verificación para proyectos.
Don’t Worry, Get Started!
¡No se preocupe, comience!
ACTIVATE
your guarantee.
Just register your project and
keep us in the loop!
Active su garantía.
¡Solo registre su proyecto y manténganos
al tanto!
We get it. Staining isn’t always easy, but use our tips and tools and
you’ll get great, long-lasting results. We’re so confident you’ll get it
right, we’ll guarantee you’ll be satisfied … or your money back!
Nosotros nos encargamos. Teñir no siempre es fácil, pero use nuestras herramientas
y consejos y le irá genial, resultados duraderos. Estamos tan seguros de que lo hará
bien, que le garantizamos su satisfacción...¡o le devolvemos su dinero!
LET’S GET YOU
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FROM START TO FINISH FASTER
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