WOCA Softwood Lye Wood Primer

WOCA Softwood Lye Primer

WOCA Softwood Lye is a pre-treatment oil which has been developed specifically for softwood timbers such as European redwood, pine, spruce, Douglas fir and larch.

It is ideal for priming bare interior wood that has either been sanded or left unfinished, such as stairs, flooring, furniture and panelling. It should not be used on hardwoods though. Unlike some finishes, it will not result in a yellowing effect to the surface (due to light exposure) and ensures that the softwood’s lighter, natural colour is preserved. It contains a white pigment, which creates a pale, white-washed effect. As a pre-treatment product, it needs an additional application of WOCA Diamond Oil or WOCA Natural Soap to complete the protective system.

Preparation: You will need a plastic bucket, a suitable nylon brush and stirring stick. Contact with skin should be avoided, so wear protective clothing including gloves and eye protection. Make sure the product is kept out of reach of children and locked away after use. Brushes and equipment can be cleaned with water and soap.

Application: Sand timber back to bare wood, if necessary, and remove all dust, preferably by vacuuming. Clean the surface with diluted WOCA Intensive Wood Cleaner and allow to dry. Shake the lye well and pour into the bucket, checking that no white pigment remains in the container. Stir thoroughly and do this now and again while using the lye to maintain an even colour.

Use a nylon brush to apply an even coat, working with the grain. Brush from top to bottom on vertical surfaces. At least 1 litre of lye is needed to cover 10m2 of timber.

Flooring may be cleaned again with Wood Cleaner after about 1 hour, before applying the final finish. Alternatively, large floor areas primed with lye can be buffed after about 8 hours with a green or black pad fitted to the WOCA Polishing Machine. Allow to dry for a further 8 hours (at 20 degrees C), then finish the woodwork with a suitable WOCA Oil, Oil Lacquer or Natural Soap.