Selecting the best product for your project - All Finishes Are NOT Equal

Weathering tests have shown that most natural wood stains and water repellents last only 7 to 18 months before mildew and weathering become problems. Most home owners report they are refinishing their fences every year to maintain the original wood color. Two major rules apply to selecting a natural wood finish. You should use a wood preservative rather than just a water repellent, penetrating stain or a combination stain and water repellent. It should also be pigmented. The pigment must be high quality so that it compliments the wood, rather than masks fungi. A wood penetrating water repellent and ultraviolet light absorber will help the finish to maintain a good appearance. The finish should penetrate into the wood rather than form a surface film. Any product that forms a film on the surface will eventually flake, peel or chip. The stain, finish or sealer you choose must also offer easy maintenance in the future. Always choose a product that can be re-coated without build-up. Most film-forming products must be stripped each time before re-application (something you aren't told until it's too late).

Baker's Gray-Away meets ALL of these requirements for long life, exceptional protection and easy maintenance!



Cleaning and Preparation Instructions


Un-treated New Wood: New wood (cedar, pine, spruce etc.) should be allowed to weather for 4-6 weeks after construction. If needed, wood should then be gently cleaned with a percarbonate cleaner. Never use pressure higher than 1500 psi when cleaning wood! After cleaning, neutralize and restore pH with an acidic brightener, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely before application of Baker's Gray Away.

Pressure Treated New Wood: New pressure treated wood should always be allowed to weather for at least one year after construction. This is very important because the pores of the wood are clogged with chemicals that will not allow the stain to properly penetrate and bond. After one year, clean the wood thoroughly with a sodium hydroxide or percarbonate wood cleaner. Never use pressure higher than 1500 psi when cleaning wood! After cleaning, neutralize and restore pH with an acidic brightener, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely before application of Baker's Gray Away.

Old Weathered Wood: Unprotected old wood is typically various shades of gray and black. This is due to mildew and ultraviolet light attack on the wood surface. Remove mildew and restore color with a sodium hydroxide or percarbonate wood cleaner. If wood cleaner is not available, use a mixture of 1 gallon household bleach to 1/2 gallon of water. Never use pressure higher than 1500 psi when cleaning wood! After cleaning, neutralize and restore pH with an acidic wood brightener, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely before application of Baker's Gray Away.

Previously Stained Wood: Baker's Gray Away wood seal is designed for application on clean wood surfaces. If old sealers, stains or finishes are present they must be removed completely before application of Baker's Gray Away Stain. For most old stains and sealers a sodium hydroxide wood stripper works well. ALWAYS TEST ON A SMALL AREA to be sure the stripper you are using will remove the the old coating! All stains, sealers and coatings are not the same. There are many good strippers available, but all are different and work differently on different coatings. Be sure you have a stripper designed to remove the type of coating you have. Strip wood according to stripper manufacturer's instructions and be sure to follow all safety precautions. After stripping, neutralize and restore pH with an acidic brightener, rinse thoroughly and allow to dry completely before application of Baker's Gray Away.

Application Instructions

Mix product thoroughly with drill and Squirrel Mixer. Baker's Gray Away wood seal is high solids product that must be blended thoroughly to ensure even coloration and maximum wood protection. Do not apply if temperature is below 40 degrees F.

Apply 2 coats with low pressure sprayer, brush, roller or applicator pad.

Decks (spraying): Apply heavy saturating 1st coat to entire surface. Do not allow to puddle or pool. Work puddles and less absorbent areas with a deck stain brush. Allow stain to penetrate until few wet areas are visible. Apply lighter 2nd coat to entire surface. Work product into surface with brush, finishing with the grain of the wood and removing footprints as you work backwards. Do not leave any puddles or pools. Allow to penetrate for 15 minutes. On less absorbent woods such as cedar or new pine etc. wipe off all excess un-absorbed product. Allow to dry 48 hours before traffic.

Decks (hand brushing): If applying by hand with a brush, roller pad etc. progress will likely be much slower than if spraying. With this method, puddles are also much less likely. When hand brushing, it is usually better to divide the deck into sections and finish a section completely before moving on. Remember two coats are needed and you should never allow more than one hour between coats. Allow 2nd coat to penetrate for 15 minutes. On less absorbent woods such as cedar or new pine etc. wipe off all excess un-absorbed product. Allow to dry 48 hours before traffic.

Fences (spraying): Apply heavy saturating 1st coat to entire surface. Allow stain to penetrate until no wet areas are visible. Apply lighter 2nd coat to entire surface.

Fences (hand brushing): If applying by hand with a brush, roller pad etc. progress will likely be much slower than if spraying. With this method. When hand brushing, it is usually better to divide the deck into sections and finish a section completely before moving on. Remember two coats are needed and you should never allow more than one hour between coats.

Read more about the process and how to stain a deck.

Special considerations

Landscaping, plants and vegetation: Plants, flowers and grass can be protected by wetting them thoroughly with water before, during and after the cleaning and staining processes. Whenever possible, always cover landscaping, vegetation and other items not intended to be stained.

Concrete: Concrete, stone and brick sidewalks, patios, driveways etc. can be protected by thoroughly wetting them before, during and after application. DO NOT ALLOW SURFACE TO DRY DURING APPLICATION. If the surface remains wet, drips and over spray will float on the water and can be rinsed clean. After application, rinse thoroughly. If oil or pigment is still present, scrub thoroughly with a degreaser suitable for the substrate you are cleaning. Rinse thoroughly again. Don't forget that it is also important to protect your concrete with a high quality concrete sealer.

Direct hot sunlight: Direct hot sunlight will cause product to penetrate deeper and faster than is preferred. This will often result in a lighter color than was desired. Although we do not recommend application in direct hot sun, it is often un-avoidable. To counteract the rapid penetration, in sunny areas allow more time between the 1st and 2nd coat. This will allow the first coat to begin to "set up" and slow the penetration of the 2nd coat. Still never allow more than one hour between coats!

Maintenance

The natural wood look requires scheduled maintenance. Once properly applied, Baker's Gray Away wood seal will need a light cleaning and maintenance coat every 2 - 3 years on decks and every 4 - 5 years on fences. Routine and maintenance cleaning should be done with a weak percarbonate cleaner or weak bleach water solution. Before re-application of stain, be sure to neutralize and balance the pH after cleaning with an acidic brightener. Brightener is not required for periodic cleaning unless stain is being re-applied. Never clean with a degreaser as it may remove the protective oils in the sealer.

Specifications

Contains Petroleum Distillate

Satisfaction Guarantee: If not satisfied with product performance when applied according to manufacturer's directions, additional product will be provided. Product replacement is the sole and exclusive remedy.

Directions for use: (see specific application instructions above)
It is a violation of Federal law to use this product inconsistent with it's labeling. This product is for exterior use only on rough sawn cedar, wood shakes and shingles, fences, decks and siding. This product is not intended for use in direct contact with soil. Baker's Gray Away wood seal is not intended for the control of termites or other wood destroying insects.

Substrates: All clean, dry and porous wood surfaces. Due to variation of base wood colors, finished color may vary from desired results. Check color by applying sample of product to determine desired effect. CLEAR SEALER DOES NOT PREVENT NATURAL GRAYING.

Coverage rate: Coverage rates are approximate and will vary depending on wood porosity. Coverage rates based on two coat application. Apply 2nd coat wet-on-wet. Do not allow to dry between coats.

Cedar: 150-200 sq. ft. / gallon
New pine: 150-200 sq. ft. / gallon
Weathered pine: 80-100 sq. ft. / gallon

Methods of application: Apply 2 coats with low pressure sprayer, brush, roller or applicator pad.

Thinner: Do not thin

VOC: <250

Solvent for clean-up: Mineral spirits

Handling and Storage: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Do not eat, drink or smoke while using or handling. Keep away from heat, flame and spark. Avoid contact with skin. Use only with adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing vapors and / or spray mist. Use hand, eye, body and respiratory protection (NIOSH / MSHA TC23C or equivalent). Store in cool dry location out of direct sunlight. Do not expose this product to excessive heat. Close container after every use.

Disposal: Do not contaminate water, soil, food or feed by storage or disposal. Product and wastes resulting from the use of this product must be disposed of according to federal, state and local regulations.

First aid:
Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Restore breathing if necessary. Call physician immediately!
Eyes: Flush eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes. Call physician immediately!
Skin: Remove contaminated clothing. Wash skin with mild soap for at least 15 minutes. If irritation persists call physician.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Call physician or poison control center immediately!

Notice: Reports have associated repeated and prolonged occupational overexposure to solvents with permanent brain and nervous system damage. Intentional misuse by deliberately concentrating and inhaling the contents may be harmful or fatal.

For further information and technical assistance contact:

TWP Coatings, INC
P.O. Box 860125
Plano, TX 75086