Preserving driftwood using gum turpentine can make the wood last longer. It also kills the bugs or bacteria that are living in the wood. But before applying gum turpentine, make sure to cut the wood into the shape that you want. Although you can do it later, carving it after preserving it will make the wood two-toned. You must also rinse the woods in cold water to eliminate all the dirt, seaweed, and other sea stuff. Make sure that the wood is thoroughly dry. It would help if you waited at least a week, so the wood is completely dry before you attempt to apply any preservation techniques.
What’s the Effect of Gum Turpentine on Any Wood
Gum turpentine is a product of trees. To produce it, you need to heat the chips and distill the chemical. Many people use it to remove paint from any wood. You can also apply it on wood surfaces. Applying it onto the wood surface makes the paint soft and easy to wipe away. Using it in this fashion causes the turpentine to have little effect on the wood. The paint provides a barrier between the wood and the turpentine. Softening varnish is also possible by applying turpentine. If the wood has a shellac finish, turpentine can wipe it away. But the most commonly used gum turpentine is to remove water stains from the wood furniture.
However, you can’t use it alone. Instead, mix it with another wood preservative, like pine tar. Mixing these two will help you preserve the beauty of your wood furniture. Restoring your furniture’s beauty isn’t the only function of gum turpentine and pine tar. Instead, it can also extend its life. Remember that wood can easily warp. It’s also prone to mold growth. When you apply the mixture of turpentine and pine tar, you’re making your wood furniture water-resistant. But that’s not all as it also shields the wood from the UV radiation effects.
When is the Best Time to Apply Gum Turpentine?
Because you need to dry the wood entirely before application, you must apply it during warm weather. Summer is the best time to carry out your wood preservation projects. It’s easier to work with wood furniture when it’s warm. The mixture will also penetrate better into the wood.
Sanding is Necessary
Yes, it’s necessary to sand the wood that you want to preserve first. Sanding will eliminate any dirt sticking from the wood. It’s also crucial if you’re working with painted wood. Good-looking wood furniture always starts with proper sanding. After sanding, you can start applying the mixture of gum turpentine and pine tar. You may need to use another coat. But you can only do so after finishing the first coat. Once the process is complete, you need to dry the wood again. It may take a few days or a week for the wood to dry before bringing it inside. Gum turpentine is an effective way of preserving any wood furniture. If you’re ready to start your project, order our genuine gum turpentine today. Call us at (818) 308-8430 or fill out our contact form.