For your wood's maintenance application of READY SEAL:

1. Clean

For normal maintenance and cleaning of READY SEAL surfaces
A mild cleaning with READYbright™ Wood Brightener is typically all that's needed to remove dirt and tannins from READY SEAL surfaces (see READYbright instructions). Once the wood has been brightened and rinsed, then allow to fully dry (Step 2) before advancing to reapplication (Step 3).

For excessively weathered or aged maintenance of READY SEAL surfaces
If your wood has suffered extreme moisture or environmental conditions, you may need to address stains caused by mold, mildew, or algae. If so, start your maintenance with READYclean™ Wood Cleaner or another comparable cleaning product. Follow the detailed instructions for READYclean Wood Cleaner, protecting nearby foliage. If using a pressure washer to rinse the surface, be sure not to bruise the wood with pressure settings set too high (keep settings under 1000 psi for best results). Then follow with READYbright Wood Brightener to neutralize the wood before drying (Step 2) and reapplication (Step 3). If you're ever in doubt about how to prepare your wood for best results, we welcome calls to our customer service team for personalized instruction at 1-972-434-2028 Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm Central Time.

To download a detailed PDF of Maintenance Application Instructions, CLICK HERE.

2. Dry

Be patient!
Make certain the wood is completely dry before applying READY SEAL, verified with a two-pronged moisture meter reading 12% or less. Because the Clean step involves rinsing with water, even with the initial application of READY SEAL already applied, you'll want to ensure the wood is completely dry before applying a maintenance coat of READY SEAL. Don't fall prey to impatience by applying READY SEAL to wood that is not completely dry!

While the conditions for cleaning do not require the wood to be dry, the conditions before applying or reapplying READY SEAL do indeed require thorough dryness.

3. Reapply

Prep the area
Just like your initial application of READY SEAL, the application is as goof-proof™ as people say! Protect nearby foliage and sensitive surfaces with drop cloths or tarps, as READY SEAL can stain or harm unintended surfaces. Always be cautious of wind and overspray, which can damage nearby vehicles, windows, siding, or other property. Address overspray or spillage immediately. Don't forget that READY SEAL can penetrate most any porous surface, including concrete, stone, and many wood/plastic composites, so make sure it doesn't end up where you don't want it.

Stir and combine READY SEAL thoroughly
If you're using leftover product from a previous job, be sure to combine all "leftover" product with any new product to ensure color consistency. If leftover product has been stored in containers that are not full, excess air in the container can cause the product to oxidize over time and change colors, which can lead to unpredictable color results. Ensure that you're stirring and distributing all the pigment in the can, including any pigment that can settle at the bottom. If using a clean paint stir stick, make sure to reach the bottom of the can, and if any solid or pigment collects on the stick, you need to keep stirring and agitating the pigment. Many times, aggressive shaking of the can may not fully distribute pigment that has settled at the bottom during transport or long storage.

Mix and pour carefully
Whether you're combining colors or combining contents of the same color from different cans, mix multiple containers together to ensure color consistency, especially if you're combining any leftover product with new product. Be sure to pour with the spout at the 12-o'clock position from our 5-gal cans to avoid sloshing and spilling.

Use the best application tool for the job
Apply using a brush, roller (paint rollers with 3/8" nap is typical), pump-up garden sprayer, or airless sprayer (40 - 60 PSI, 0.18 - 0.23 range and 211 or 213 spray tip recommended). If using any type of sprayer, be aware of breeze and wind that can unintentionally carry product to nearby structures.

Don't over-apply
Don't forget that more is not always better. Depending on how long it's been since your previous READY SEAL application, and depending on the conditions of the wood, the wood's pores may not receive more than one or two coats. You'll certainly want to give your wood more stain if it's thirsty for it, but don't over-apply, especially on horizontal surfaces. If you're concerned that too much stain has been applied, you can always call our customer service team Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm Central Time for personalized instruction at 1-972-434-2028.

It's ok to walk on
One of the many goof-proof benefits of READY SEAL is that it can be walked on during and shortly after application with minimal tracking or footprints. However, it could take hours or days for the stain to completely settle into the wood pores and feel fully dry on the surface. Socks and shoes can absorb surface stain before it's completely dry and can be tracked indoors, so always check your feet before walking indoors or onto other porous surfaces. If there are footprints or tracking, this would indicate that stain has been over-applied.

To download a detailed PDF of Maintenance Application Instructions, CLICK HERE.