How to Guide

DIRECTIONS FOR STRIPPING WOOD AND
PREPARING FOR APPLICATION OF READY SEAL
1. Apply a high quality wood stripper to the entire area that you want stripped (follow the directions on the product
you choose). This will start a chemical process that will chemically burn the wood, turning it dark brown- almost
black- likely within minutes. You can use a brush to lightly scrub with the grain and “help the process” in places
where there is still paint or stain remaining.
2. Powerwash away all the stripper and its residue (make sure pressure washer is set to 1200PSI or less, and
move in the direction of the boards, not zig-zag across the boards)
3. Sweep or blow away excess moisture on the surface
4. Prepare the Oxalic Acid* following the instructions below, and then apply to entire area with a pump up garden
sprayer to neutralize the stripper. DO NOT RINSE
5. Allow to dry for a day or two, with the goal to get it down to 12-15% moisture
6. With a pump-up garden sprayer, mix 50% bleach - 50% water, spray over entire surface to do one final
brightening and kill any mold and mildew under the surface of the wood.
7. Let the bleach/water sit on the surface for 15 minutes, then rinse with a garden hose
8. Once again, allow the wood to dry down to 12% moisture or less. This may take days, depending on the
weather.
9. Once your wood is at 12% moisture or less, apply Ready Seal in your choice of 8 beautiful tones. The darker
the tone, the longer “life” you’ll get out of it—as the pigment gives you UV protection.
10. Call us at 1.888.782.4648 if you have any questions or need guidance on any of these steps.
*Oxalic Acid: Mix 0.25-0.50 lbs of granualized/powdered Oxalic Acid to 1 gallon of HOT water. Spray onto the surface to
neutralize a stripper; it also lifts mildew stains/acid rain affects; lifts leaching/Oxidizing Fastner Stains & brightens the
wood. Let this application dry and dissipate-- do not rinse!
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