As UK property markets continue to tread water, the recent trend of ‘don’t move – improve’ is becoming ever more prevalent. Homeowners are now, more than ever, looking for ways to update properties.

Recognizing this, Sadolin have created a fail safe way to upgrade the appearance of homes. A subtle solution for both exteriors and interiors is to tackle those areas that are noticed first – windows, window sills, door frames, skirting and architrave.
For the trickiest areas, including windows as well as other exterior wooden fascias and cladding, Sadolin’s Classic Wood Protection is the best product to start the process. This Woodstain, boasts unbeatable quality and excellent durability, is tough enough to use on those areas that take a battering from the elements all year round.
Its micro porous system allows for deep penetration, satisfying the woods porosity without compromising on colour or finish, which helps to avoid the usual problem of unsightly flakes or cracks.

Sadolin Classic Wood Protection, ideal for use on its own, can also be teamed with a top coat of the solvent-based, Sadolin Extra Durable Woodstain – perfect for surfaces that are subject to occasional knocks and scuffs.

Available in a range of eight stunning shades, Sadolin Classic Wood Protection and Sadolin Extra Durable Woodstain teamed together, will refresh properties and help protect the wood.
For interior spaces, update skirting boards, door frames and architrave with Sadolin earthbalance® Interior Stain, a greener living woodcare product that is suitable for all kinds of indoor wooden surfaces, offering the strength and protection you’d expect from other Sadolin products. And, with its 99 per cent solvent free and minimal VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) content, it is also a product that is better for the environment.

In addition to these robust qualities Sadolin earthbalance® also comes in six practical shades, including Oak, Dark Oak, Antique Pine, Mahogany, Teak and Jacobean Walnut, which together help ensure that there is a woodstain solution for every kind of interior scheme.
So, whether homeowners are trying to sell their property or are simply updating and protecting it for the coming winter months, Sadolin offers a wide selection of interior and exterior woodstains as well as interior wood oils, which together provide a woodcare solution to help complete nearly every job.

It’s one of those age-old DIY dilemmas; just months after painting exterior woodwork, the surface starts to flake and crack and homeowners are faced with re-doing the whole thing.

But with Sadolin Woodshield they needn’t worry about any peeling or cracking. Its unique paint-like formula allows wood to flex and breathe, creating a waterproof coating that provides excellent durability and long lasting protection.

This waterbased wood paint offers a thick, solid colour and is an ideal alternative to traditional gloss, providing all the toughness without any of the mess or fuss.

As well as offering a super flexible coating, it gives homeowners flexibility of use too. It can be used to cover existing woodstain, painted surfaces or clean, bare wood with no undercoat or primer needed, making it perfect for most exterior doors, windows, conservatories, garden buildings and fascias.

Touch dry in an hour, it comes in three shades – black, white and mahogany – and because its unique formula erodes naturally over time, when redecorating is required a simple clean and recoat will ensure optimum protection – without any need for sanding, scraping or stripping.

As Sean Thompson, Sadolin’s Senior Technical Consultant, explains: “Flaking and cracking are one of the most common problems associated with painting exterior woodwork but Sadolin Woodshield performs exceptionally over many, many years. In fact Sadolin Woodshield can offer up to 8 years protection.

“Its unique, flexible formulation means it can offer superior protection against sunlight and rain, while maintaining a smooth, perfect finish – giving homeowners ultimate peace of mind and ensuring exterior wood looks great for longer.”

Another stage of an award-winning project involving the colourful use of Sadolin Superdec in the seaside town of Bournemouth has been unveiled.

Crown Paints’ Colour Service has transformed 15 beach huts in the area between Bournemouth and Boscombe Pier, with ‘Ice Cream’ a nostalgic scheme capturing all the flavour of the seaside.

‘Ice Cream’ represents the third phase of a colourful transformation of the Bournemouth beach front. The project began in 2010 with the colour scheme ‘Sunrise to Sunset’ where inspirational shades capturing the essence of the colour spectrum from dawn to dusk were applied to 75 traditionally styled, new wooden beach huts in the East Cliff area. This scheme went on to achieve global recognition, receiving a commendation in the World Architecture News (WAN) Colour in Architecture awards. One year later, 45 beach huts at the Alum Chine area of the resort were transformed with a pastel colour scheme, entitled ‘Nudes’. On all three occasions, Bournemouth Borough Council has used the expertise of the Crown Paints’ expert Colour Service and specification team in the town’s quest to help create the most photographed, quintessential beach huts in the UK.

Crown Paints’ Colour Service consultant Jemma Saunders – who works across Crown Paints’ brands including Crown Trade and Sandtex Trade, as well as Sadolin – has worked on each project.

Talking about the latest colour scheme, Jemma said: “Ice Cream is fun and colourful and reflective of the beach culture, a happy bright palette with vibrant hues, it pays homage to a classic sea side treat.”
“The beach landscape was the inspiration for this and the other two schemes, taking elements from anything such as a winter sun setting on the sea to crushed shells on the beach.”

The inspired use of colour at the beach huts has been warmly received by locals and tourists. The area has already becoming firmly recognised as a magnet for colour, with film crews and artists seeking out the location as a stunning backdrop to fire the imagination – helping to set the town firmly on the map as the nation’s recognised centre for colourful, iconic beach huts.
It is claimed that the very first beach huts were built in Bournemouth over a hundred years ago, and today, between Alum Chine and Southbourne, there are approximately 1900 huts in prime positions along the shoreline, equating to around one in ten of the UK’s total beach hut population.

Andrew Emery, Service Development Manager, at Bournemouth Borough Council, specified Sadolin Superdec for all three phases of the works.
Andrew said: “We want people, when they think of beach huts, to automatically think of Bournemouth – and these three colourful projects undertaken with Sadolin are helping to put the town on the map for that”.
“We chose Sadolin Superdec again for this latest project, as we were delighted with the great results the product has achieved over the years. The beach huts painted in 2010 still look pristine after the first application.”
Sadolin Superdec Opaque Finish offers sensational colour without any compromise on the superior wood protection qualities needed for the resort’s exposed coastal environment.

Sharon Smith, Sadolin brand manager, said: “The three projects undertaken at Bournemouth Beach Huts bring together one of the best displays of colour in the UK,

This project reflects why Sadolin Superdec Opaque Finish is such a well-regarded system, due to its ability to deliver sensational colour and outstanding wood protection in all weather conditions.

The product has superior colour retention qualities, achieved by the use of specially selected light-filtering pigments to ensure longer-lasting shades.

It also offers up to eight years’ protection against the elements, and superb flexibility – achieving a solid, paint-like finish that won’t flake or peel.

The system requires very little preparation, is self-priming on new timber and can also be applied over existing woodstain or paint.”

It also remains flexible and resistant to cracking, peeling and flaking and, once applied, forms a microporous ‘jacket’ which is both waterproof and allows the wood to breathe naturally, affording enhanced, longer lasting protection by allowing natural moisture to pass through and therefore preventing any swelling up and the bond breaking away from the coating.”

Guide One – Wood Preparation
The old adage that preparation is everything really applies within the field of woodcare and in this guide Sean Thompson, from Sadolin Technical Services, shows why the start of any woodcare application sets the foundations for success.

Preparing New Wood
It is very important to make sure that wood is properly prepared because, whilst the timber may look clean, it usually isn’t – nor is it suitably ready to receive woodcare products.
To ensure the woodcare coatings that are going to be applied will adhere properly – and therefore give the desired durability – preparation is key. This guide – number one of seven in the This Is Sadolin series – goes through the main points to consider.

Preparing Bare Timber
The first and most important step is to sand down the surface – a very light abrasion is recommended. Sandpaper is ideal and a P180 or a P240 grade is great. Whilst using sandpaper, abrade in the direction of the grain, rather than across it. This is to ensure that marks don’t get left that could be potentially visible when a translucent wood stain is applied. Make sure any imperfections on the surface are removed. Sandpaper also prepares the surface so that it has an ideal key. This means if the timber surface is too smooth prior to coating, the situation is put right.

The next step, which is often forgotten, is dusting off. Again, the timber may look clean but there is a lot of dust. To dust off wood, a rag can be used, but I prefer to use a brush. The important thing is to make sure that you brush across the grain, as well as up and down. This may seem time consuming but it will provide a better finish and the process ensures that the coatings do adhere to the surface and not to the dust.

The final step is to degrease, or clean, the surface. Irrespective of the surface, whether it’s softwood or a hardwood, I recommend it is cleaned down with methylated spirits using a clean, lint-free cloth, whilst wearing gloves. When preparing timbers such as teak or oak, remember they can contain high oil/resin contents or they may contain very high levels of extractives. It is important dirt and grime is removed from the surface prior to coating, otherwise that could cause a problem with adhesion, so put some methylated spirits onto a cloth and then give this a wipe down. The important thing is to rotate the cloth around. I don’t recommend using white spirit. It’s fine for cleaning out brushes, but when using solvent-based systems, it can leave a greasy residue on timber, so methylated spirits is better. For very oily, durable timbers cellulose thinners may be necessary.

When this has finished, the timber is now ready for decorating.

Preparing a Previous Coating In Good Or Bad Order

In Good Order:
When preparing a surface that has already got a previous coating system, often the requirement is only for a maintenance coat. If it is known the wood care product used previously was a Sadolin system, then they are designed to naturally erode. If the surface is in good order, then all that is required is to do a simple clean with warm water and a mild detergent, followed by a rinse off with clean water. Once that is dry, then the surface is ready for decorating.

In Poor Order:
If it’s a system that is in poor order, then consideration needs to be made as to whether it is good enough to put another system over the top. If the previous coating needs to be removed, then the wood needs to get back to clean, dry, sound, bright timber. How to achieve this varies, it can be a combination of a scraper and sandpaper, or even a chemical stripper. However, in a lot of cases a mechanical sander is needed to get the timber back to square one. Once achieved, then proceed to treat the wood as if it is a bare, new piece of timber.
We have a couple of tips for the application of Sadolin;
• We recommend the use of a quality synthetic brush. Use a natural bristle brush with solvent-based items and a synthetic brush for water-based items. A quality synthetic brush for both types of product is ideal.
• When stirring product, always use a broad bladed, flat stirrer. One with additional holes in is ideal for stirring wood stains. The idea is that it’s just like a cake mixture. In the process of stirring the product in the can, all of the ingredients are being lifted and evenly distributed ensuring a nice, even finish.
Applying a Preservative Treatment
Most timbers are actually supplied pre-treated, such as timber joinery i.e. windows and doors. However, Sadolin has a variety of products to preserve wood, which may be required if;
• The timber has been cut and there is an end grain or an end piece that is exposed without any preservative treatment
• The timber is non-durable
• The timber needs to have a preservative treatment

With a piece of timber the face grain is always the bit that we look at. However, the most exposed, vulnerable part is the end grain. It’s particularly important that this end grain area is protected.
Take for example a typical piece of timber decking. It will probably have the green tanalised pre-preservative treatment that’s actually been pressure-treated into the timber. However, cut the timber in half, then that would be an exposed area. Ideally, that should have some preservative treatment brush-applied onto it to help extend the life of the timber. The preservative prevents rot, decay and fungal infestation – and Sadolin has three systems to offer the necessary protection. These are Sadolin Quick Drying Wood Preserver, a water-based system, and the solvent-based systems Sadolin Wood Preserver and Sadolin Ultimate Wood Preserver.
If in doubt about the use of a preservative, then remember it cannot hurt the wood, irrespective of whether it is a non-durable or durable timber. However, it must only be put onto bare timber.
In a situation where top coats are being applied and those top coats are water-based, then it is best to use a water-based preservative. If the top coat is going to be solvent-based, then it is best to use a solvent-based preservative to avoid any confusion.

Applying Fillers
Sadolin has two products in the range to assist if minor repairs are needed – Sadolin Woodfiller and Sadolin Stainable Woodfiller.
For nail holes or little indentations within the timber then Sadolin Woodfiller can be used to fill in the small repairs. The key is to pick the colour that compliments the shade of the timber, or the colour of the wood stain. For example, if it was a mahogany-coloured wood then choose a mahogany colour.
If it is a medium-sized repair, then use Sadolin Stainable Woodfiller. The use of masking tape allows the actual filler to be applied slightly proud, so when it is sanded down it achieves the effect of looking flushed with the timber. The masking tape also prevents an unwanted ’halo’ effect where the surrounding sound timber surface would be filled unnecessarily.
The Stainable Woodfiller contains wood pulp which will help matching when applying a wood stain or a wood dye, to even everything out.

Summary
If everything is followed correctly, then a clean surface that’s properly prepared should be achieved. This will provide a suitable surface to give the coatings being applied the maximum opportunity to bond well and perform.
If these steps are not followed then the end result could potentially cause the coatings to fail prematurely, causing peeling and flaking and moisture to enter the gaps and damage the timber. Sadolin’s systems are designed to avoid peeling or flaking but like any quality system are still reliant on being applied onto a clean, sound, dry surface.
Ultimately, if everything is done correctly then we have a simple maintenance regime whereby the coatings perform, they naturally erode and weather. A quick clean and reapplication of another coat is all that is then required, between every four to eight years, depending on what system has been specified.

Watch Online
Preparation is covered in-depth in the first in a series of seven videos from Sadolin, developed to help specifiers and decorating professionals make the most of the premium woodcare brand’s product range.
‘This is Sadolin’ is a series of seven films, all designed to inform professionals working with wood on a variety of related topics.
The series starts with a film entitled ‘Preparation is Everything,’ now available to view on the Sadolin Woodcare YouTube channel at YouTube
This ten-minute film shows how to prepare timber correctly in order to get the best possible outcome for wood protection.

Want to know more? Please call the Sadolin Woodcare Advice Centre on 0844 770 8998

A Day’s Work for Six Years Protection:

Time poor but know a job needs doing? Reviving exterior wood next spring / summer needn’t be a chore. Sadolin knows time is precious, so our Quick Drying Woodstain and One Coat are on hand to help all those homeowners looking to get the job done in a day but leave wood looking beautifully protected.
Perfect for refreshing tired exterior windows, doors and conservatories, both timesaving Sadolin woodstains take the hassle out of home maintenance to offer a premium, quality wood finish without cutting any corners.
Rainproof in just 30 minutes, Sadolin Quick Drying Woodstain is conveniently formulated to dry quickly but offers excellent durability with six year’s protection after just two applications (leave four-six hours between coats), making it the perfect wood protection solution for those who can only spare time on a fine weather Sunday.

Meanwhile, with just one easy application of Sadolin One Coat Woodstain, this solvent based woodstain gives exterior wood an instant uplift with long-lasting, durable, all-over protection. Ideal for tackling larger jobs or surface areas and perfect for applying when making the most of a dry weather spell, its advanced one coat technology provides deeper penetration after one thick coating to give exterior wood longer lasting colour.

With both products available in eight different shades; Natural, Antique Pine, Redwood, Mahogany, Teak, Rosewood, Jacobean Walnut or Ebony; Sadolin has the all round convenient package to leave exterior wood beautifully protected in next to no time.

Sean Thompson, Sadolin’s Senior Technical Consultant, shares a helpful top tip: “For best results, don’t apply Sadolin Quick Drying Woodstain or One Coat in direct sunlight and invest in a quality brush for the best finish.”

Trust the Experts – Give exterior wood some spring/summer love!

When the frost begins to thaw and temperatures make it passed the 10°c mark, it’s time for homeowners to pay attention to tired doors, flaky windows and wintered conservatories. After the effects of snowfall, frost, ice and heavy rain, Sadolin Classic Wood Protection and Sadolin Extra Durable Woodstain create the perfect partnership for homeowners to rid the signs of winter and bring their wood back to life, perfect for everything from a quick maintenance coat to a complete change of colour and new direction.
With eight different finishes to choose from including: Natural, Antique Pine, Redwood, Mahogany, Teak, Rosewood, Jacobean Walnut and Ebony homeowners can be sure to select a woodstain that makes a real difference to the exterior of any home.
Preparation

Just like the old saying – failing to prepare is preparing to fail’ – the only way to get really good results is by preparing the wood correctly.
• Wash down the surface area removing any loose dirt build up
• Assess the wood closely, it will become apparent whether it needs a quick maintenance coat or if it’s a bigger task in hand. Look for: cracking, flaking, greying, rotting and discolouring
• If the wood you’re working with has begun to rot then Sadolin recommends removing/replacing the damaged area
• If the woodstain has started to bubble or flake away from the wood then use a blunt chisel or knife to remove any large pieces, being careful not to damage or score the surface of the wood
• If the wood has split slightly or cracked use a wood filler to fill the crack and bind the wood together
• If the wood has just discoloured/greyed or all of the above has been completed then it’s time to sand down the surface until it’s a smooth even surface
• Finally remove any additional impurities with white spirit and water to ensure that the surface area is ready to be treated once dry
Application
• Spend that little extra on quality brushes, there is nothing worse than returning to a gorgeously finished piece of wood to discover a fine bristle dried to the surface
• Apply with the grain of the wood and be liberal to satisfy the porosity, especially with vulnerable ends
• For new wood or areas taken down to the original wood surface use Sadolin Classic Wood Protection as a base coat before applying a couple of coats of Sadolin Extra Durable Woodstain
• If applying a maintenance coat, once the surface has been prepared simply use one coat of Sadolin Extra Durable Woodstain unless more is needed to satisfy the porosity of the wood
• It makes sense to apply woodstain when the weather is good avoiding rainfall but also planning the job around the day’s sun. Work around the building avoiding contact with direct sunlight where possible. When woodstain is drying it’s at its most vulnerable and lots of hot direct sunlight can cause the woodstain to yellow and if moisture gets into the woodstain then it can mist over
• Leave plenty of time for the wood to dry before applying an additional coat
Sadolin Classic Wood Protection is perfect for all exterior joinery tasks and is versatile enough to use on other exterior wood from decking to timber cladding, benches to fences Sadolin Classic Wood Protection can undertake a range of jobs, satisfying the porosity of the wood with its micro porous system.
Sadolin Extra Durable Woodstain creates a durable, hard wearing solution for those areas exposed to the elements working with the wood to keep it protected just like Sadolin Classic Wood Protection. Perfect for windows, doors and conservatories.

Water based vs Solvent based. Sadolin explain the difference

When making your way down the woodstain aisle at your local DIY store, it can often get a little confusing with the choice of products available. Trying to choose the right woodstain for a job at hand can leave you a little bit puzzled, especially when either a solvent or water-based product can be used.
But as specialists in wood protection products, we are here to give you a helping hand when choosing between solvent or water based woodstains.

The difference in VOC

Solvent-based woodstains contain around 75 per cent white spirit (this can also be known as Volatile Organic Compound or VOC), which evaporates into the atmosphere and can reduce crop growth. Due to the higher levels of white spirit in solvent-based woodstains they have a much stronger, lasting smell. In comparison, water-based woodstains only contain about 10 per cent white spirit, reducing their impact on the environment.

The difference in drying time
Water-based woodstains have a much quicker dry time; they are generally ‘touch dry’ within an hour. In comparison, solvent-based woodstains have a longer touch dry time of between two and six hours, as they have a longer ‘open time,’ allowing you to brush the liquid out more before it dries, making for easy application.
Water-based woodstains are ready for an overcoat in a couple of hours, whereas you’ll generally have to wait until the next day to re-apply solvent-based woodstains. But despite the longer dry time, a slightly easier application process means solvent-based stains are often preferred by first time users of woodstains.

The difference in application
When applying water-based woodstains, choose a dry, moderate day. Solvent-based woodstains are generally less prone to weather conditions.
And when it comes to the task of cleaning down after staining – water-based woodstains are much easier to contend with as all you need is warm, soapy water to clean brushes, hands and equipment. In comparison, solvent-based woodstains require the use of white spirit.

And finally…
When you’ve decided which woodstain is best for you, Sadolin has a wide range of solvent-based and water-based woodstains ready to tackle whatever job you maybe undertaking, in the way that is best suited for you.
Sadolin solvent-based products include:
Sadolin Classic Wood Protection
Sadolin Extra Durable Woodstain
Sadolin One Coat Woodstain
Sadolin Extra Durable Clear Coat
Sadolin water-based products include:
Sadolin Quick Drying Woodstain
Sadolin Woodshield
Sadolin Decking Stain and Protector