Advantage Lumber recommends Ipe Oil and WiseCoat, which are comparable products, although WiseCoat produces a slightly darker color. Penofin Oil Finish is another solvent-based penetrating oil finish designed for dense hardwoods, such as ipe.

What do you finish Ipe with?

Finishing Ipe and other high density tropical hardwoods is fairly easy to do. Simply apply a coat of an appropriate sealer, such as Penofin® Oil Finish according to the manufacturer’s directions and you’re done.

Should you seal Ipe decking?

Does Ipe need to be sealed? Ipe does not need any “sealer” in fact the wood is dense, that it doesn’t really take sealer anyways. The products used on Ipe are not really sealers as much as UV protectants. It is the sunlight that turns Ipe grey, and using these products can help protect against that.

How do you finish an Ipe deck?

1. Step 1: Clean the Deck Surface and Let Dry.
2. Step 2: Apply Ipe Oil® Hardwood Deck Finish.
3. Step 3: Wipe up any excess Ipe Oil®
4. Step 1: Clean, Rinse, & Let Dry.
5. Step 2: Apply Two Coats Wet Over Wet.
6. Step 3: Backbrush Any Puddles.

Should Ipe wood be oiled?

If you want your IPE decking to remain naturally brown, you should apply a layer of IPE oil every year. Otherwise, you can just leave it as it is and ensure that you clean it regularly. The best part about not using IPE oil on a wood decking is that the silver patina is not permanent.

Can you use polyurethane on IPE?

You can try to get around this lack of porosity by applying a film finish, such as polyurethane varnish, but you’ll be wasting your time and creating more work for yourself in the near future. The finish won’t adhere well and will flake off in no time, especially if the deck is in full sun.

Can I use tung oil on IPE?

For dense and oily woods (e.g. exotics like Ipe or mahogany) a thinning ratio of 3:1 (solvent to Tung oil) will help with penetration. The Tung oil should soak into the wood surface and not leave a thick liquid coat on top of the wood.

Should you sand ipe wood?

A. Your safest bet would be to sand the decking, then vacuum thoroughly and apply oil immediately. If the deck is large, it might make sense to rent an upright orbital floor sander. When sanding, don’t use anything any finer than 80-grit.

How do you keep IPE looking new?

Ipe decks should be regularly kept clean of dirt and debris. Sweep leaves off the deck, don’t let rusting items sit on the wood, and hose off mud or spills. You can use a hose to safely clean off your deck but be careful when using a power washer.

Can I use teak oil on ipe wood?

To help prolong the rich-reddish brown natural tones inherent in the wood, the Ipe should be oiled with a hardwood oil that contains UV inhibitors – brands that are readily available are Penofin for Exotic Hardwoods (clear version) and Watco Teak Oil.

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Is black locust good for decking?

Unlike the tropical hardwoods, Black Locust Lumber decking provides a much higher slip resistance than that of the more oily Ipe and other tropical hardwoods. This makes Black Locust decking an ideal choice around pools and docks which will assist in decreasing slip and fall hazards in those areas.

How often should I oil my Ipe deck?

In order to obtain an keep a great looking deck, we recommend annual maintenance. For even better results you can apply maintenance twice: once in the spring and once just before fall. This will ensure a faster project and easier preparation, since you don’t let the wood go too grey.

Can you leave Ipe wood untreated?

Ipe is over 3 times harder than Teak and if you leave Ipe untreated it will turn a beautiful silver grey. When Ipe turns grey it still shows the beautiful wood grain and maintains all of its durability and will still last up to 75 years or more.

How long does it take for IPE to turn GREY?

An experienced ipe deck builder told me to not sand ipe as you remove the layers of dead cells which absorb the sealer. That was why it turned grey in about 4-5 months. Also, lay the boards end grain curving downward to drain better and avoid “cupping” after rain.

Is tung oil OK for outside?

Tung oil can be used to treat your wood outside. By treating it with this oil, the wood will be protected against debris, sun, wind, and moisture. Treated wood can last for decades, as long as you re-apply wood protection at least once a year.

Is tung oil good for outdoor use?

While tung oil can be an excellent sealer to waterproof the wood, the best form of protective wood finish you can use is our new Outdoor Defense Oil. Made from Pure tung oil, pine oil, and zinc, it offers natural and non-toxic weather protection. … Wipe off any excess that does not soak into the wood after 40 minutes.

How long does tung oil last on a deck?

How long does a Tung oil finish last on a deck? A slight darkening may develop after several years otherwise the finish does not diminish except from heavy wear. Our products do not peel when used as directed. Most other products begin to peel and fail between 1 and 3 years.

How do you protect ipe wood?

Because it is naturally resistant to extreme weather conditions, it can take heavy rain and snow without the risk of mold, rot, and mildew. Once a week, you should sweep the IPE decking with a broom. Prevent any debris from piling up as it may leave scrapes and markings in the long run.

Is tung oil good for wood?

Originating from China and South America, tung oil—an extract from tung-tree nuts—is a natural drying oil that coats your fine wood furnishings with a transparent, wet finish. It enhances the color of your wood, offers excellent protection and is eco-friendly.

Is ipe wood water resistant?

Ipe lumber offers superior water-resistance compared to softwoods and even other hardwoods thanks to its extreme density. The wood’s tight grain and natural oils keep water out, preventing rot and mold growth. Ipe lumber is also naturally slip-resistant, making it the perfect material for outdoor projects.

Can I use OxiClean to clean my deck?

To clean the deck with this quick method, I just mixed 1 cup of OxiClean (powder) into 1 gallon of water. Pour a little bit onto your deck in sections and use a push broom to scrub the solution in really well. Once you notice stains starting to break up, spray down well until the soapy residue is gone.

Is IPE the hardest wood?

Ipe or Brazilian walnut is top-notch if you want the hardest and most durable flooring on the market. It boasts a Janka rating of 3,680, making it extremely hard to dent.

Can ipe deck be sanded?

For dense hardwoods like Ipe and Cumaru, we recommend the following: Use 80 grit sand paper. … Set on top of the hardwood. Following the grain of the wood, gently glide the sander over the surface.

How long does IPE Oil take to dry?

Temperature, sun, shade, hardwood specie and humidity all affect drying time. Allow 24-48 hours to dry in most applications.

What happens if it rains on Ipe oil?

If it starts raining while the finish it still drying you’re going to see all the little rain drops captured in the spots they’ll leave on the deck. Make sure it’s going to nice a sunny for a while when you do the job.

What is the difference between honey locust and Black Locust?

Honey locusts can be distinguished from Black Locusts by their longer, widespread thorns and longer seedpods. The bark of the two trees is also quite different in color and shape, and the Black Locusts flowers are large, showy white clusters, while those of the Honey Locust are creamy and insignificant.

How long does Black Locust decking last?

Both Ipe and Black Locust will last 30-50 years or more. Both are rot-resistant but for different reasons. Naturally rot-resistant due to its closed-grain cell structure and presence of anti-fungal compounds in the wood.

Is Sassafras good for decking?

Sassafras makes a great decking product and siding product for any environment. Its low movement stats make it a wonderful option for areas with extreme moisture changes through the year. The wood takes stain easily and given its high quality, it comes at a bargain price point thanks to its abundance in our forests.

How long will Ipe decking last?

Ipe is more durable than other woods. Within ipe wood are natural oils that preserve it; combined with the wood’s exceptional density, you can expect an ipe deck or fence to last up to 50 years without replacement.

Can Ipe wood be power washed?

If you know what you are doing you can powerwash instead of scrubbing, but only if you can use very low pressure and a wide fan. The cleaning will remove most of the grey which may be good or bad depending on what you want. After that rinse the deck when it is dirty, e.g. after pollen season etc. and re-clean yearly.

Is ipe wood good for decking?

Ipe (pronounced EE-pay) is the finest quality wood decking material available. … Ipe is an exotic hardwood that is naturally resistant to rot and decay, is 8 times harder than California Redwood, and is guaranteed for 20 years without preservatives!