How to Seal Wood

Sealing wood protects it from the elements, slows sun and water damage, and keeps the wood from deteriorating.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Brushes
• Spray-on Wood Sealants
• Paint Stirrers
• Rags
• Rags
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Old Newspapers
• Sealant
• Slotted Screwdrivers
• Wood

1. Begin with wood that has been sanded and stained.

2. Dip a brush in sealant.

3. 
    

   Wipe off excess sealant against the rim of the container.

4. 
    

   Start at the center and brush outward, then back with the opposite side of the brush.

5. 
    

   Be sure to cover every inch, including hard-to-reach corners.

Tips & Warnings

• If the brush becomes hard, wash it with rubbing alcohol.
• To save time, use a spray-on paint sealer.
• Soap and water will ruin a brush with sealant on it.

[Lyberty]

on 7/23/2008 This article should be called "how to use a brush."

How about something useful, like what kind of sealant to use with what kind of wood? Should different "sealants" be used if you're going to paint afterwards? Are you talking about shellac? Varnish? Something else? Sanding before? Sanding after?

_At least_ give a couple of real product examples of "sealants"...

on 11/22/2005 Do not use Deft. My windows were "sealed" with Deft products and after one year they molded underneath the layer of Deft. When I called them, I was told "It isn't 100% effective." In other words, it's junk, and doesn't work...period!