Posted by KBS Coatings on 9/30/2021 toNews and Updates
Wood Clear Coat for Outdoor Use
Imagine you are refinishing wooden outdoor furniture or other wood items that are located outdoors. You’re looking for a transparent, non-colored wood clear coat and you want it to provide a glossy finish. It’s important to you that the clear coat is durable, will protect the wood against moisture damage, and will not degrade when exposed to sunlight. It’s also especially important to you that the clear coat be easy to apply.
A coat of quality wood clear coat on your outdoor wood items can be the difference between a long, beautiful lifespan and one that has been shortened by time and exposure to the weather. With so many wood clear coat options available, what type should you choose?
The primary things often considered about a wood clear coat is its ability to avoid yellowing, cracking and peeling over time, dry time, and ease of use. For outdoor use, polyurethane and urethane clear coats are popular as they best meet these criteria, but with some exceptions.
Both polyurethane and urethane wood clear coats can avoid yellowing, cracking, and peeling, but in differing degrees, depending on the formulation used by a particular manufacturer.
Dry time and ease of use of polyurethane and urethane clear coats can differ depending on whether it is a 1K (one part) or 2K (two part) formulation. 1K describes a coating that does not require a hardener, catalyst or activator to harden. Once the clear coat is applied to a surface it will dry without any additives. 2K describes a coating that does require a hardener, catalyst or activator to cure. Without it the clear coat would never fully dry. 2K clear coats take a longer period of time to dry to the touch and fully cure as compared to 1K formulations. As 1K formulations don’t require mixing in a catalyst they are more user-friendly than 2K coatings. So, 1K wood clear coats best meet the criteria of quicker drying time and ease of use. They are frequently less expensive as well.
Another consideration for outdoor wooden furniture and other wood items is expansion and contraction of the wood caused by precipitation and humidity. The molecular bonding properties of urethane clear coats make them more flexible than polyurethane clear coats. Therefore, in a high moisture environment they can stay adhered to the wood surface without cracking and peeling better than less flexible polyurethane coatings. Which brings us to KBS DiamondFinish Clear.
DiamondFinish Clear is a 1K moisture cured urethane clearcoat that is that is UV stable, durable, and extremely tough. It can perform in the toughest of environments without yellowing, cracking or peeling. With minimal surface preparation, DiamondFinish Clear can be applied directly to wood (Likewise, it can be applied to ferrous as well as non-ferrous metals including aluminum, alloys, brass, chrome and copper). It’s also perfect as a high quality clearcoat when applied over cured basecoats, standard solid color paints, and single-part or two-part paints. Because of its Advanced Cross-Linked Coatings Technology, it is both flexible and durable so it doesn’t have issues with delamination or peeling away from the surface. For a demonstration of DiamondFinish Clear’s flexibility and durability see our video.
Pickup Truck Bed Wood protected and beautified with DiamondFinish Clear
DiamondFinish Clear is self-leveling and can be applied with a roller, conventional spray gun, or simply with a brush without leaving any brush marks, which is a problem with most clearcoat finishes. DiamondFinish Clear is also available in aerosol form.
It’s important that a wood clear coat for outdoor use avoids yellowing, cracking and peeling, and is flexible. As well dry time, and user-friendliness are considerations for a project well done. For this, KBS Coatings DiamondFinish Clear is an excellent choice.
For more information on DiamondFinish Clear Click Here.
As an enthusiast and expert in wood coatings, I bring a wealth of knowledge to guide you through the complexities of choosing the right clear coat for outdoor wood applications. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of various wood coating formulations and their performance attributes. Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article by KBS Coatings:
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Wood Clear Coat Requirements for Outdoor Use:
- Transparency and Glossy Finish: The article emphasizes the need for a transparent, non-colored wood clear coat that provides a glossy finish for outdoor wood items.
- Durability and Moisture Protection: The clear coat should be durable and offer protection against moisture damage to ensure a prolonged lifespan of the wood items.
- Sunlight Resistance: It's essential that the clear coat does not degrade when exposed to sunlight, highlighting the importance of UV stability.
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Considerations for Wood Clear Coats:
- Yellowing, Cracking, and Peeling: These are common concerns with wood clear coats over time. The chosen clear coat should resist yellowing, cracking, and peeling to maintain the aesthetic and structural integrity of the wood.
- Dry Time and Ease of Use: The article mentions that factors such as dry time and ease of use are crucial considerations. The distinction between 1K and 2K formulations is explained.
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Types of Clear Coats:
- Polyurethane and Urethane Clear Coats: Both polyurethane and urethane clear coats are popular for outdoor use due to their ability to meet the specified criteria, with variations in performance depending on the formulation used.
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1K vs. 2K Formulations:
- 1K (One-Part) Formulation: Requires no hardener or activator and dries without any additives. Known for quicker drying time and user-friendliness.
- 2K (Two-Part) Formulation: Requires a hardener or activator to cure, resulting in a longer drying time. May offer enhanced durability but can be less user-friendly.
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Wood Flexibility in High Moisture Environments:
- Urethane Clear Coats: Highlighted for their molecular bonding properties that make them more flexible than polyurethane clear coats. This flexibility is beneficial in high moisture environments, preventing cracking and peeling.
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Introduction to KBS DiamondFinish Clear:
- 1K Moisture Cured Urethane Clearcoat: KBS DiamondFinish Clear is introduced as a 1K moisture cured urethane clearcoat, emphasizing its UV stability, durability, and toughness.
- Versatility: The clear coat can be applied directly to wood and various metals, showcasing its versatility for different surfaces.
- Advanced Cross-Linked Coatings Technology: Mentioned as the technology behind DiamondFinish Clear's flexibility and durability, ensuring it doesn't suffer from issues like delamination or peeling.
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Application Methods:
- Self-Leveling: DiamondFinish Clear is highlighted as a self-leveling clear coat that can be applied with a roller, conventional spray gun, or brush without leaving brush marks.
- Aerosol Form: The clear coat is available in aerosol form, providing additional application flexibility.
In conclusion, KBS DiamondFinish Clear is presented as an excellent choice for outdoor wood clear coating, meeting the specified criteria and offering advanced technology for flexibility, durability, and ease of application.
