Nowadays, wood is very often used in the field of decoration and construction. Various panels, lining, stairs, decorative ceiling parts, and various floor coverings are made from this natural material. Like any other material, wood needs reliable protection; for this, aqualak for wood is used. This type of varnish makes it possible to preserve the natural texture and natural shade of wood, and if necessary, water-based varnish allows you to make wooden parts the same in texture and shade as all other design elements.
Choosing the color and gloss of aqualak for wood
One of the advantages of water-based varnish is its rich range of colors. You can choose the shade you like, and if you wish, do some coloring. This ability of the product allows you to preserve the natural structure of the wood and emphasize it.
Use selections or catalogs that the company can provide. There you can select and change characteristics such as depth, composition and saturation of shades.
Environment first
Agree that today fashion and style are inferior to environmental friendliness, and therefore the cost of wood materials does not decrease over time. Now what is fashionable is what is safe, and wood is one of these materials.
Wooden decoration of the room will add lightness and sophistication to the interior. In such a room it is pleasant not only to eat, but also to relax; the feeling of comfort makes it possible to relax both body and soul.
Lining is stylish and elegant
Have you ever been in country houses made entirely of wood, how easy it is to breathe there, what smells are in these houses, it is not surprising that every year the popularity of lining as a finishing material is growing, because everyone wants to be closer to nature and this is to feel comfortable in your home.
Installing wood in a building, room, or upholstering a balcony with clapboard is not so difficult, but making sure that such material fills the atmosphere of the room with comfort and at the same time looks impressive is a completely different matter.
The performance properties and durability of the lining directly depend only on the type of paint and varnish coating you choose, because initially, when you buy the material, you purchase untreated lining.
The lining should be treated with a finishing coating
Choosing a composition for wood processing with your own hands is not difficult, because the choice is quite large.
Common and used compositions include:
- Paints, any color and shade of your choice;
- Wood conditioner - reliable and inexpensive;
- Waxy consistencies;
- Stain is a fairly common mixture for preserving the structure of wood;
- Varnishes, various oils.
Important! Do not forget that wood without treatment will soon simply dry out, which means it will succumb to deformation. If you insist on the naturalness of wood, know that caring for such a finishing material will take a lot of time, as well as your strength. So, it’s worth thinking about before making your final choice towards untreated wood.
Areas of application for scuba diving
The versatility of this protective varnish lies in the fact that it is suitable for both external and internal work. Of course, you will need to comply with certain conditions in both cases, but the result will be worth the effort.
The main condition is low air humidity. Due to excessive moisture, the varnish will apply unevenly, resulting in unsightly smudges and uneven spots at the joints.
Those types that are declared as ultraviolet are used as a protective layer for building facades, wooden gazebos, benches and other elements.
Preparation for varnishing
If the wood is rough, it must first be sanded. If there are cracks, dents, chips, and other mechanical damage on it, they need to be puttied, and after the putty has dried, the surface is sanded. After sanding, dust and dirt are removed from the product; this can be done with a regular rag soaked in water and detergent. The surface must be dry before varnishing.
Attention! Before applying the varnish layer, the wood is coated with a special primer, which deeply impregnates and improves the strength of the surface. It is advisable to prime in two layers.
How to apply Aqualak correctly
Water-based varnish is used in both interior and exterior work. One of the few fundamental factors for its use is the minimum air humidity.
The material does not absorb well into the wood surface if it is wet. In addition, the varnish can penetrate deep into the wood very unevenly, which is why unevenness, stains and even smudges may appear on the surface of the treated products.
The varnished surface should be kept away from water. Try to limit contact with liquid and keep it to a minimum. But this does not replace periodic wet cleaning. It is enough to prepare a soap solution and clean the products with it. Try to use non-aggressive means.
To treat the floor surface, it is better to choose a different type of varnish. One of the reasons for this decision is more intensive use, which causes the coating to wear off much faster.
Applying the coating is not as difficult as it might seem. To do this, it is also worth fulfilling several important conditions to ensure the longevity of the result:
- The surface of the product must be coated from top to bottom. Do this without interruption. Since the product dries almost instantly, you need to follow this advice. Otherwise, uneven stripes will form, which will appear after drying.
- Before you start painting, mix the aqualac thoroughly. Dilution with water is not a mandatory step, but it is not prohibited if necessary. The best application option is to paint with a brush in at least 2 layers. Thanks to this, you can protect the surface of the wood, as well as give it a more expensive and high-quality appearance.
- After a certain period of time, the varnish coating will become even stronger. However, it is advisable to use with caution during the first two months. Wet cleaning must be done carefully. This is necessary to avoid the formation of scratches or chips.
Selecting paint and varnish products
Decorative coatings are used to protect surfaces from deformations and external influences. You need to choose such a coating carefully, because you will have to take into account not only color preferences, but also the properties of the coating you choose.
This composition will not only protect the wood, but will also favorably emphasize its structure.
As you understand, price may not always be responsible for quality, so rely on the recommendations and advice of those who have already encountered such purchases.
There are a lot of features that you simply must pay attention to when purchasing a paint-type product:
- If you choose an emulsion for ceiling finishing, then pay attention to the water resistance of the mixture; the longevity and appearance of your interior will depend on this;
Tip: If you are going to process wood in the bathroom, then choose a coating that can withstand constant moisture, but in the kitchen you need to process it with wash-resistant mixtures.
- If it is necessary to treat porous surfaces, it is best to use paints with a high level of vapor permeability. These include latex;
- When it comes to floors, then make sure to soak it several times so that it lasts longer. Pay attention to such a parameter as the wear resistance of the composition; the service life of a wooden floor often depends on it.
Using a scuba tank in a sauna
Step by step varnishing process
For a high-quality coating, several important conditions must also be observed, which will be outlined below.
The total number of layers with which the product will be coated directly depends on the required strength, as well as the type of wood. More details can be found in the instructions included with the varnish.
- When painting, avoid direct exposure to the sun's rays on the newly coated surface. And also make sure that there are not even the slightest drafts in the room. All this will negatively affect the quality of the coating. The process must take place under certain conditions. Work quickly and carefully, following technology.
- For an even color, coat the entire piece at once. By working in fragments, you risk getting obvious lines due to uneven layers. Also, due to this approach, a phenomenon such as multi-shade may appear.
To obtain a perfect, even surface, sand the previously applied layer before applying the final coat. This is done using sandpaper. Afterwards, clean the surface thoroughly. To finish and get an excellent result, cover the product with a couple more layers.
Differences from other varnishes
Aqualak is a paint and varnish material made on the basis of water. It contains about 15% solvents, the rest is a water component. Due to its “watery” composition, there are restrictions on its application to some types of wood, so before purchasing a specific product, you should carefully study the included instructions.
Unlike paint and varnish products, which are based on other components (oils, resins, ethyl alcohol), Aqualak for wood has a number of advantages:
- dries quickly;
- does not smell;
- non-toxic;
- allows steam to pass through;
- optimal in terms of fire safety;
- has excellent adhesion to wooden surfaces.
In addition, acrylic aqualacs are quickly and easily diluted with water, easy to use, and protect wood from mold and fungi. Another important advantage of this type of varnish coating is its relatively low cost.
The downside of aqualak is the insufficient strength of the resulting coating, but for indoor use, a “killer” surface that resists wind, sun, and frost is simply not required.
On video: what is aqualak.
For which rooms is aqualak suitable?
As mentioned earlier, the strength of the scuba tank is usually not high enough, but the acrylic version will solve many problems. It is perfect for rooms with different microclimates. It is resistant to temperature changes and also tolerates high humidity. Thanks to this, it will become a solution for saunas, baths or swimming pools.
In addition, the material can be used outdoors. It is suitable as a protective layer for stairs, building facades, fences, etc. Due to its properties, the varnish dries quickly.
Performance characteristics of wood material
One of the limiting circumstances in the use of this type of finishing is the low performance characteristics of untreated wood lining. And that's why.
- Wood is afraid of moisture. When used in a wet state, the material rots and quickly succumbs to chemical decomposition.
- Under the influence of fungal spores, which easily multiply on wooden surfaces, the wood turns into dust in a matter of months. In addition, untreated lining is a great place for all kinds of beetles and larvae to live.
- The sun's rays adversely affect the appearance of the wooden covering; it loses its attractiveness - this is the so-called UV aging.
- Wood not only burns easily, it is considered a fuel and poses a fire hazard to the premises.
Wood blanks are sold in a state untreated with special protective compounds; sometimes the colors offered do not fit into the color scheme of the room. All these shortcomings can be eliminated by using a special coating for lining - aqualak.
Photo of a scuba tank for wood
Color solutions
The most widely used are scuba tanks without color. They highlight the natural texture of wood, give a rich shade and beautiful shine.
A feature of scuba tanks is considered to be the ability not only to emphasize the texture of the fiber, but also to give even cheap wood the appearance of a more expensive coating. Aqualak colors are often indicated by the color of the tree they imitate: fern, walnut, pear, cherry, apple tree.
Eurotex
One of the popular, sought-after and effective compositions is Aqualak Eurotex. It can be applied both indoors and outdoors, and has excellent protection against harmful atmospheric influences, as well as biological damage. It qualitatively strengthens wood and can serve as a decorative finish for wood products. In addition, Eurotex provides effective protection against moisture, ultraviolet rays and dirt, and it also creates a dust-repellent layer.
Since there is no solvent or other toxic substances in its composition, this aqualac is environmentally friendly and safe for humans, therefore it is primarily used when performing interior work. They can be used to process ceilings, walls, stairs, veneer, chipboard and fibreboard, plywood, as well as outdoor and garden wooden buildings. Provides effective antiseptic protection. Another advantage is the large selection of shades from which you can choose a color for any type of wood.
The composition of such a product
This varnish for lining is based on water. As a solvent, it makes the product non-hazardous, and the coating dries very quickly.
The usual composition of such paintwork materials includes the following components:
- Water base.
- Microwax.
- Antiseptic substances.
- Dispersion.
- Modifier.
Each manufacturer can add some of its own specific additives.
