Timber Manual Datafile FM1

Exterior Finishes for Timber

Revised Edition 2004

Contents
Introduction......................................................... 2 Factors Effecting Performance.......................... 3 Substrates ............................................................ 3 Design and Construction .................................... 4 Surface Preparation............................................ 4 Finish Types ......................................................... 5 Film Forming versus Penetrating Finish ......... 5 External finishes .............................................. 7 Permeability .................................................... 7 Wood Primers .................................................. 7 Undercoats....................................................... 8 Finishing Coats................................................ 8 Gloss................................................................ 8 Semi-Gloss/Satin............................................. 8 Flat/Matt and Low Sheen ................................ 8 Natural Finishes............................................... 9 Semi-Transparent or Grain Enhancing Stains................................... 9 Opaque Stains, Solvent Borne......................... 9 Opaque Stains, Water Borne ........................... 9 Clear Exterior Finishes.................................... 9 Application of Coating...................................... 10 Maintenance ...................................................... 11 Specifications ..................................................... 11

Introduction
Generally, the function of finishes on timber is two-fold to improve the durability of the building and to add to the aesthetics. Unfinished, unprotected timber will inevitably weather as a result of gradual changes to its physico-chemical structure brought about by temperature and moisture content variations. The rate is generally slow, at about 6mm per century. The weathering process leads to a slow breaking down and wearing away of surface fibres, change in colour and roughening of the surface. Under extreme conditions, timber may deform, check, split and pull away from fasteners. The extent of weathering will vary with timber species and ambient conditions. Although unprotected timber has been used externally for centuries, the weathered effect is not always desirable. In most applications timber needs protection from the elements of water, cold, heat and ultra-violet light to promote a long service life. In addition to protection from the elements, finishes may provide a decorative effect. The performance of exterior finishes depends on a wide range of factors that are covered in this Datafile. The local environment however, is a variable which needs special consideration and local experience can be of assistance. Advice should be sought from manufacturers or Timber Advisory Services whose contract details are provided on the back page of this Datafile. The selection and correct application of the most appropriate finishing product is a most important component of the design and construction process. This Datafile provides guidance on the various finishes available and the applications for which they are best suited. It is essential, however, that after a product has been selected, the product manufacturers recommendations are followed in respect of timber preparation, product application and material maintenance.
Weather exposed framing protected and decorated with opaque finish blending with bush setting.

NAFI Timber Manual Datafile FM1 - Exterior Finishes for Timber

Cover Photo: Opaque finish adds colour and protection to plywood cladding

This revised edition of Timber Manual Datafile FM1 was supported in part with funding from the Forest and Wood Products Research & Development Corporation (FWPRDC). The Corporation is jointly supported by the Australian forest and wood products industry and the Australian Government. The information, opinions, advice and recommendations contained in this Datafile have been prepared with due care. They are offered only for the purpose of providing useful information to assist those interested in technical matters associated with the specification and use of timber and timber products. While every effort has been made to ensure that this Datafile is in accordance with current technology, it is not intended as an exhaustive statement of all relevant data, and as successful design and construction depends upon numerous factors outside the scope of the Datafile, the National Association of Forest Industries Ltd accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions from this Datafile, nor for specification or work done or omitted to be done in reliance on this Datafile. NAFI 1989, 2004 ISBN 1 86346 019 5, ISBN 1 86346 021 7 (set)

Opaque finished timber screens light colour reflects heat.

Factors Effecting Performance

The performance of external finishes is a significant factor affecting the service life of a building. However, fashion, new technologies, aesthetic improvements and changes in function often necessitate modification of the building, including its external envelope at more frequent intervals. In addition to these changes, the durability of an external finishing system on timber or timber products is influenced by a range of physical factors including those listed in Table 1. Reference should also be made to Datafile P4 - Timber-Design for Durability.

Substrates
The properties of timber, plywood, laminated veneer lumber, glued laminated timber and other wood based building products are dealt with in detail in other Datafiles in this series. Timber is essentially a variable substrate, even within a single species. The density, moisture content, absorbency, flexibility and the nature of its extractives may vary considerably. Some timbers are also more susceptible to dimensional change due to moisture or humidity variations. The finishing system must be sufficiently flexible to cater for this movement. Differences in paint performance over earlywood (spring Table 1: Factors effecting performance of finishes Factor Effect on Performance Substrate Refer Table 2. Environmental Dry temperate conditions favour very Conditions good performance compared with tropical, marine and severe industrial environments which provide relatively severe exposure conditions. Pre-treatment Use of preservative impregnation or water repellent preservative treatment before painting, together with putties and sealants where appropriate, will improve service life. Re-coating before major paint film breakdown occurs, results in improved durability at reduced cost. Adequate film build and attention to coating end-grain results in improved performance. Protection from elements using roof overhangs, verandahs, pergolas, etc., and avoiding water traps will promote improved performance. Correct choice of a system for each particular job and use of one manufacturers products in each system will contribute to the long term performance of the finish.

Maintenance Schedule Application Procedure Building Design

System choice

Semitransparent timber stains enhance resorts residential complex

NAFI Timber Manual Datafile FM1 - Exterior Finishes for Timber

growth) and latewood (summer growth) can occur particularly on softwoods where latewood is generally harder, smoother and darker than earlywood. Paints with a tendency to embrittle on ageing (that is, those that are solvent borne) may ultimately crack and peel away from the harder surface despite having good initial adhesion. Uniformly fine textured timbers have better paint holding characteristics than coarse textured species. The latter, however, respond better to penetrating stain applications than conventional paint systems. The manner in which timber is cut from a log affects the orientation of the annual rings in the piece and this, in turn, affects its paint holding properties. Back-sawn softwood boards have wider, darker bands of latewood than quarter-sawn boards, the latter tending to hold paint better. In hardwoods the difference is comparatively small compared to that of softwoods. If a board is quarter-sawn (edge-grained) as opposed to back-sawn (flat grained), its dimensional stability is better under variable moisture conditions and it is less likely to result in surface checking to the detriment of the paint system. It should be noted however, that most parcels of timber are supplied as a mix of back-sawn and quarter-sawn pieces. Finishing systems are developed to cater for this variation. Discolouration or blistering of the finish may be caused by water-soluble extractives of the heartwood such as gum or resin. This effect is accentuated by heat and is more prevalent on the side of a structure receiving maximum sunlight. Kiln drying of the timber will usually set these extractives, removing or minimising the problem. Some timbers have a higher percentage of aromatic oils, which contribute to their characteristic pleasant odours but may present problems with paint discolouration and inhibit drying if left unprepared before painting. Cleansing with a solvent may be necessary. Other timber characteristics that affect paint performance are knots, bark, gum pockets and insect damage. Knots will in most cases absorb more of the finish than side-grain and have a greater potential to check and exude resin or gum. Where plywood or glued laminated timber is used, an exterior timber grade must be specified together with a conventional finishing system for timber. Exterior grade hardboard has a smooth uniform surface finish and is usually supplied pre-primed, ready for finishing.

Table 2: Substrate effect on performance Substrate Variable Species Density Dressed timber Sawn timber Timber edges Effect on Performance
Differs between and within species. The heavier, denser timbers are less prone to moisture uptake than lighter species Better performance with conventional paint systems. Better performance with solid and natural stains. Sharp edges create stress in paint films, causing failure. Arrised or rounded edges permit film movement with minimal stress. Quarter-sawn softwood boards generally have better dimensional stability than back-sawn, and therefore better paint holding properties. For hardwood the difference is minimal. Greater likelihood of blistering and peeling occurring particularly with solvent borne coatings. Stains are more effective. Best condition for painting. Surface deterioration of timber fibres due to weather can result in poor paint adhesion unless corrective sanding is carried out. Stains may perform better than conventional finishes if sanding is omitted. May cause topcoat discolouration or blistering unless surface extractives are removed with a solvent wash prior to priming. Heartwood has a higher staining potential than sapwood but is ideally suited to painting with exterior timber stains.

Design and Construction

The two major factors which affect the performance of the finish, and subsequently that of the timber, are moisture and sunlight. Any design features which minimise possible moisture ingress to the substrate or exposure to high angle incident sunlight, will be beneficial. In Australia (Southern Hemisphere) the north facing exposure is most severely affected by sunlight, with the severity of exposure changing with the latitude of the site itself, varying from 15 degrees near Cape York to about 45 degrees near Tasmania. Guidance on the design of structures to provide shade protection is given in NSB 120, Shadow Angles. Some design steps which can be taken to assist in excluding moisture and protecting from U.V. are: the use of wide eave overhangs, verandas, pergolas etc. use of vertical rather than horizontal siding use profiles with rounded arrises fit drip caps over doors and windows Avoid or minimise joins in horizontal sidings likely to allow moisture ingress provide adequate ventilation of roof space and subfloor space use the recommended nail size and pattern for various types of timber cladding selectively use boards that show defects, such as knots. When you do, use them for the least exposed areas.

Back-sawn timber versus Quarter-sawn timber Unseasoned (green) timber Seasoned timber Weathered versus unweathered timber Extractives

NAFI Timber Manual Datafile FM1 - Exterior Finishes for Timber

Heartwood versus Sapwood

Surface Preparation
The purpose of preparing a substrate for painting is to ensure that it will accept and retain the finish with the minimum of interference from surface contaminants or from surface deterioration of the substrate itself. The profile of the surface and its porosity will also influence adhesion of the paint system and its ultimate durability. For new timber, the profile can vary from a smooth (planed) surface to a sawn textured surface. This will

Cracking on latewood is more likely Earlywood versus Latewood to occur as the solvent borne paint embrittles on extended exposure.

Smooth texture versus coarse texture Gum pockets Aromatic oils Knots

Smooth texture surfaces have better paint holding potential than coarse texture ones. Use of stains on the latter gives good performance. Can lead to resin exudation and staining unless pre-treated and sealed. Can lead to drying retardation and staining if surface oils are not removed. Possible premature cracking, staining and resin exudation can occur unless treated with knotting varnish or manufacturers recommend treatment. Can lead to premature failure of all film-forming finishes if not removed. Premature failure may occur if not treated or filled before finishing. Normal range 10-15% - higher levels detrimental, particularly for solvent borne finishes where moisture vapour permeability is low.

Bark Insect Damage Moisture Content

Knots and sawn surface texture show through semi-transparent timber stain.

There is a wide range of finish types with selection being governed by the degree of protection required and the appearance sought. Table 3 summarises the various finishes. Table 4 provides guidance on the selection of finishing systems for various applications, but advice is also available from manufacturers and reference can be made to the standard AS/NZS 2311 Guide to the Painting of Buildings.

Film Forming versus Penetrating Finish

All finishes provide a coating on the surface and to some extent fill voids in the microscopic surface structure. Film forming and penetrating finishes vary in thickness and in the finished shape of the surface. Film forming finishes appear as a distinct layer and usually display a plane surface. Penetrating finishes on the other hand follow the contours of the timber surface, providing thicker deposits in the troughs and thinner coatings over the peaks. Refer to Figure 1. Due to the greater coating thickness, film forming finishes are more resistant to wear, but penetrating finishes have the ability to accommodate differential movement of timber due to moisture variations. The

Veranda roof provides protection to external walls.

NAFI Timber Manual Datafile FM1 - Exterior Finishes for Timber

dictate the final appearance when coated. The sawn or roughened (coarse sand papered) surface will give a more positive mechanical key to applied coatings but, in the case of a conventional paint system, will result in a much thinner film on the surface peaks which will deteriorate more rapidly. Some surfaces are, however, ideally suited to opaque or semi-transparent stains. Timber with excessively high moisture or resin/aromatic oil content should undergo further seasoning to rectify the conditions before painting. As recommended by the paint manufacturers, surface contamination by dust, grease, oil, plaster or mortar droppings, brick-cleaning solutions, or other substances likely to affect paint adhesion, must be thoroughly cleaned before priming. Prevention of such contamination is better than subsequent cleaning. A special consideration exists with buildings adjacent to the sea, where salt contamination of the surface occurs very rapidly and is not always visible. This must be washed off with fresh water shortly before the start of work, while still allowing time for the surface to dry. If prevailing winds are carrying salt laden air to the site, repeat washings will be required each day painting is to proceed. For timber which has been exposed to the elements for a considerable time and has suffered the weathers oxidative effects on both lignin and cellulose in the surface layer, the timber should ideally be sanded or dressed to a fresh surface before priming. Alternatively the use of penetrating type stains, after a simple brush down, will give good results. Any holes or depressions in the surface which may have occurred as a result of mechanical damage or are natural defects such as resin pockets, knots, surface splits or checks should be scraped clean, primed and filled with putty compatible with the paint system to be used. Damaged or decayed sections should be cut out and replaced. Adjacent timber should be treated with a fungicide or water repellent solution. The source of moisture giving rise to conditions conducive to decay should also be located and the fault rectified. As with design, emphasis must be placed on preventing moisture ingress, particularly where end-grain is concerned. Adequate sealing, with sealants, water repellents or primers is essential. Some timbers and wood based building boards are supplied pre-primed and provided they are not exposed to the elements for extended periods, may be finished with undercoat and an enamel paint or two coats of an acrylic paint without further priming, (or as recommended by the manufacturer).

Water repellentcontaining preservatives can provide protection from moisture but require regular maintenance.

Sawn finished plywood provides a good base for surface finishing.

The preparation for repainting a previously painted surface will depend largely on the condition of the surface. If the paintwork is flaking, blistering, cracking or checking, it will be necessary to remove either the entire film back to the substrate or at least enough of it to provide a sound base for subsequent coats. If the surface is chalking, or has surface mould present, manufacturers directions for removal should be followed. This is particularly critical where water borne systems are being used.

Finish Types

Table 3: Exterior finishes and applications Paint Type Conventional opaque systems water and solvent borne Natural timber finishes - semitransparent and opaque Water Repellent Preservatives Wood Primers Comments Best suited for use on dressed and seasoned timber. Wide colour ranges with use of tinting systems, good durability. Best suited for use on sawn or textured durable timbers. More frequent but much simpler maintenance. Temporary pre-treatment to prevent soiling and deterioration during construction but have limited life if not overcoated. Brush application is recommended. Solvent borne better penetration, but slower drying. Water borne better long term flexibility, quicker overcoating and easier clean up. Good opacity and bridging properties. Increase system film build and durability. Solvent borne best over chalky surfaces. Water borne faster drying, better colour qualities and easier clean up. Solvent borne have sharper gloss, good flow, opacity and durability. Water borne have slightly lower initial gloss, better gloss retention, poorer flow but better film flexibility after aging. Water borne system applied to primed timber should prove superior durability to solvent borne. Comments as for gloss but gloss level lowered. Slight reduction in durability but minimise appearance of surface imperfections. Solvent borne rarely used for exterior. Water borne good durability and colour. Generally solvent borne. Enhance both timber grain and texture and help maintain timber colour. Care required in application to avoid lap joint colour difference. Obscures grain but enhances texture. Have better durability than semitransparent stains. Water borne acrylic solid stains generally give superior performance to solvent borne finishes particularly over knotty timbers. Enhances timber appearance but requires a commitment to more regular maintenance with frequent inspections. Solvent borne clears have improved with use of U.V. absorbers specific to resin type used. Water borne clears, or slightly tinted versions, have durability somewhat equivalent to opaque systems. Water borne clears are more flexible and thermoplastic.

Undercoats

Finishing Coats - Gloss

Finishing Coats - Semi-Gloss Finishing Coats - Flat and Low Sheen Natural Finishes - Opaque or Solid Stains Natural Finishes - SemiTransparent Stains Natural Finishes - Clear

NAFI Timber Manual Datafile FM1 - Exterior Finishes for Timber

Table 4: Finishing Recommendations Finishing Systen

Hardwood and Cypress Pine

Hardwood and Cypress Pine

Hardwood and Cypress Pine

Hardwood and Cypress Pine

Cladding

Decking

Joinery

Framing

Softwood

Softwood

Softwood

1. Primer + undercoat + minimum 2 coats solvent borne or water borne paint 2. Primer + minimum 2 coats solvent borne or water borne opaque stain 3. WRP + 2 coats solvent borne stain 4. Minimum 2 coats solvent borne or water borne opaque or semitransparent 5. Minimum 3 coats clear exterior finish
Notes:

Softwood

1. This table is provided as a guide only to those finishing systems suitable for the specified applications. 2. Stains are more successful when applied to sawn finishes. 3. Clear exterior finishes have a relatively short service life and require regular maintenance when used in a fully exposed situation.

advantages of penetrating finishes include: natural appearance do not peel or blister suited to sawn textured surfaces do not trap moisture in timber are easily applied and renewed

Weather exposed structure and joinery to have ends and joints sealed against water penetration.

External finishes
Many pigmented finishing systems for both protection and decoration consist of a three-stage process: primer undercoat If a finish is not applied on all surfaces of a piece of timber, differential moisture changes may cause distortion. Such problems may be overcome by providing balanced moisture permeable coatings on all surfaces. Finishing coats and the finishes used for external applications can be divided into two broad categories: solvent borne water borne

improved water vapour protection.

Wood Primers
Wood primers provide good adhesion to the timber and a good base for inter-coat adhesion of subsequent coats. They may be solvent borne, comprised of drying oils and/or synthetic alkyd resins and can incorporate zinc oxide or other fungicidal pigment to assist in fungal control of the system. The more recently developed, water borne primers, containing an acrylic emulsion as the principal binder, are an alternative which offers good adhesion to timber and greater flexibility, particularly on ageing. The problem of staining, when applied to timbers containing natural, water soluble tannins, has been largely overcome by use of fixative pigments and special emulsions developed for this purpose. Water borne systems allow greater water vapour permeability than solvent borne systems. Current wood primers are lead free and are generally tinted to a pink colour. This provides greater apparent opacity and a contrasting colour to the next coat being applied. It avoids areas being missed during application and ensures that a sufficient second coat is applied to adequately cover the primer uniformly. Note that timber treated with light organic solvent preservatives (refer AS 1604 Specification for preservative treatment) may be delivered in a preprimed condition. This should not be mistaken for properly primed timber ready for top coating. Preprimers are low cost, solvent-borne, quick drying, factory applied products, which are not formulated to provide long service life and flexibility of finish.

Permeability
Most coatings are impervious to water but none are completely impervious to water vapour. Surface films are superior in this regard but after initial cracking or peeling, protection is dependent on the finish that has penetrated into the wood. Penetrating finishes may therefore be more effective. Solvent borne finishes are more resistant to water vapour than water borne finishes, and where a high level of protection is desired, a solvent borne system should be selected. Where recommended by the manufacturer, a solvent borne primer and/or undercoat system may be used under a water borne finishing system to provide Figure 1: Finish types

Undercoats
These are the bridging coats between the primer or previous paint surface and the finishing coat. They have

Priming provides protection to timber and a good base for finishing coats.

NAFI Timber Manual Datafile FM1 - Exterior Finishes for Timber

Quality finishes enhance appearance and promote long service life.

borne finishes are used for re-painting it should be remembered that old, embrittled alkyd or oil-based finishes will continue to embrittle with time and will eventually fail irrespective of the type of re-paint top coat used. Exterior water borne finishes are generally based on emulsion resins, the most popular and proven type being pure or 100% acrylic emulsions.

Semi-Gloss/Satin
Satin and semi-gloss finishes, for both solvent and water borne coatings, are similar in many respects to their full gloss counterparts but have had the gloss level reduced by the addition of flattening agents. While quite suitable for exterior use, when recommended by the manufacturer, they tend to chalk earlier but do not highlight minor imperfections in the substrate as readily as gloss finishes. They are frequently available in the same extensive colour range as gloss finishes but have an increased number of colours that are suitable only for interior use. Solvent borne semi-gloss finishes for exterior use are alkyd based, while water borne coatings are mainly 100% acrylic based, to give maximum exterior durability.

good bridging properties across cracks, good brushability under warm windy conditions, facilitate sanding, good gloss hold out, enhance the durability of the total system and have good opacity that is capable of substantially obscuring the background colour or colours. Similar to primers, they can be solvent or water borne. Solvent borne undercoats are generally superior for adhesion if applied to slightly chalky or powdery surfaces and can be formulated to give superior sanding properties. Water borne undercoats have better colour and nonyellowing qualities. They are faster drying with much shorter times before overcoating. They may be overcoated with either water or solvent borne coatings, subject to manufacturers recommendations.

Flat/Matt and Low Sheen

In this category the use of solvent borne finishes for exterior use is negligible and water borne finishes are almost universally preferred. The use of 100% acrylic emulsions gives very good exterior exposure performance over primed timber substrates where film flexibility on ageing is important. The term low sheen is generally used to indicate a finish with a slightly higher sheen than either flat or matt. It is more washable and still masks minor imperfections in the substrate more satisfactorily than gloss or semi-gloss finishes.

Finishing Coats
In all pigmented coating systems, (better known as paints, as distinct from stains), the water borne paints have a decided advantage over solvent borne paints in terms of ease of clean up of equipment and faster drying and recoat times. One restriction, however, is that they must not be applied or allowed to dry at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, as film formation may not occur and the paint may remain powdery. Manufacturers directions should be followed at all times, particularly with regard to the system or succession of coats to be applied.

NAFI Timber Manual Datafile FM1 - Exterior Finishes for Timber

Natural Finishes
Semi-transparent and opaque or solid stains have been developed to provide a more natural timber-look to a surface and to simplify maintenance procedures. The natural finishes are designed primarily for use on sawn timbers. Normally a one or two coat application of stain does not result in the thicker coating achieved with conventional paint systems, and therefore there is little risk of breakdown of the film by cracking and flaking. These stain finishes weather away by natural erosion, allowing subsequent re-coating with a minium of preparation. A simple brush and wash down to remove dirt and chalking pigment is all that is required. The periods between re-coating are generally shorter than with conventual systems, but tend to increase with subsequent re-paints. The build-up or thickness of film of these natural finishes will vary from product to product. At the extremes it includes coatings which penetrate into the timber leaving little or no film on the surface, to others which resemble top coat paints. These have

Gloss
These are available in a very wide range of colours in both solvent and water borne coatings. The need to provide a wide colour range, while restricting stock items, has led to the use of tinting systems in preference to large numbers of ready mixed colours. Most solvent thinned gloss enamels can be used for interior as well as exterior use, but certain colours may be restricted by the manufacturer to interior use only because of the poor light fastness of certain colours. Most solvent borne exterior enamels are formulated with alkyd resins and have largely replaced the traditional linseed oil house paints. They also contain small amounts of acrylic polymers to provide the finish with some flexibility. They have a sharp gloss, good opacity and exterior durability. Water borne gloss exterior finishes are now widely used. They have superior chalk resistance, flexibility and gloss retention. They frequently provide a useful film life of double that of the solvent systems, if they are applied to suitably prepared primed surfaces. When these water

relatively high pigmentation and allow moisture vapour transmission, and normally require maintenance when chalking and erosion occurs. Stains perform best on vertical surfaces and if used on horizontal or angled surfaces, an extra coat should be considered. Additional stain applied to end-grain will help prevent water absorption and hence improve performance by reducing the risk of premature failure through end-splitting or cracking. Some plywoods may be finished with exterior timber finishes and used outdoors, provided the board is rated for exterior use. If the board is not pre-primed or sealed, an appropriate primer, as recommended by the manufacturer, must be applied before finishing. For primed exterior hardboard, 100% acrylic opaque finishes can be used following the sealing of any cut edges that are likely to be exposed. The coatings may also be used on unprimed exterior hardboard, provided that dark timber colours or formulations which resist tannin staining are selected and applied in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.

Semitransparent stains create a natural timber appearance.

Opaque Stains, Water Borne

These are also referred to as acrylic or solid stains and many are based on the 100% acrylic emulsions, although other polymeric emulsion binders can be used. They are now used extensively as an alternative to oil-based solid stains and generally give superior performance, particularly over knotty timbers.

Semi-Transparent or Grain Enhancing Stains

These are available in typical timber colours and are formulated with relatively low pigmentation to enhance both the grain and texture of the timber. This relatively low pigmentation is sufficient to act as a U.V. screen. The pigment also remains as a colouring for the timber surface after the natural timber colours have faded. They have low build-up properties and are easy to apply and maintain. These stains are invariably solvent borne. They contain fungicides to prevent mould growth on the stain itself and repel water, while still allowing some moisture vapour permeability. Pre-treatment of the timber product with a water repellent-containing preservative or pressure preservative treatments, will extend the expected life of the system. However, if used alone, such pre-treatments will not prevent deterioration by weathering.

Clear Exterior Finishes

Clear finishes are not generally recommended for timber elements that are fully exposed to the weather. Some good quality clear finishes incorporating U.V. absorbers are available but have not as yet been given a satisfactory long service life in Australian conditions. If a short service life is acceptable, a clear finish can be used successfully where attention to surface preparation is followed in detail. Removal of sharp edges and filling and stopping of grain irregularities are essential, as is application under optimum conditions of both timber and atmospheric moisture content. Sealing of the end-grain to prevent moisture ingress is very important for the satisfactory performance of these finishes. Maintaining a clear finish in good condition does require an on-going commitment to regular inspections and touch-up or re-coating of any areas where initial breakdown or discolouration is apparent. Solvent borne exterior clears, usually in alkyd or alkyd/ urethane vehicles, have been improved by the inclusion of U.V. absorbers. Water borne clears, based on specific pure/acrylic emulsions, are showing considerable promise of extended durability comparable to conventional paint systems, provided regular maintenance is carried out. Inclusion of U.V. absorbers is essential. Some products also include very small quantities of pigments to obtain a neutral timber colour.

Opaque Stains, Solvent Borne

These are fairly heavily pigmented, low viscosity, low solids, flat paints. They allow the timber texture to show but obscure the grain pattern. The increased pigment, compared with the semi-transparent stains discussed above, gives a longer service life. Re-painting, and surface preparation in particular, is minimal compared with conventional paint systems.

Cladding external joinery finished with semi-transparent timber stain

Cladding and external joinery finished with semitransparent timber stain.

NAFI Timber Manual Datafile FM1 - Exterior Finishes for Timber

Care must be taken in using products of this type to avoid lap marks, as these clear exterior finishes dry more rapidly than an oil stain and a double application at the lap gives rise to bands of deeper colour.

Celsius. Foggy, misty or dusty weather should also be avoided. Work for the day should be stopped early enough to allow for the film to dry sufficiently before adverse conditions develop.

Application of Coating
The most common application technique for exterior timber finishing is by brush, which although more labour intensive, is specifically recommended for initial priming coats as it gives better wetting of the surface and penetration into grain, joints and corners. Roller application or airless spray may be used for subsequent exterior coats and is more suited to large areas. The effectiveness of an exterior paint system is dependent on building a film of adequate thickness and overspreading of coatings is a false economy. At all times the manufacturers recommendations, with regard to thinning, surface preparation, number and sequence of coats, maximum spreading rates, weather conditions and temperature at times of application and drying, and time interval between coats, should be adhered to. Apart from minimum times between coats, it is advisable that no longer than 2 weeks should elapse between coats without attention being paid to cleaning the surface to remove any grime or dust that may have built-up. Conditions at the site will obviously influence the extent of this contamination. If the site is subject to salt contamination from prevailing winds off the sea, then washing down daily may be necessary. The application of stains, particularly semi-transparent types, should be in the direction of the wood grain and completed in one operation if lap marks are to be avoided. Factory priming or treatment with water repellentcontaining preservative of some seasoned timber components, such as window assemblies, is designed to give them protection from weather and contamination during transport, site storage and an initial period after installation. But, as already mentioned, such factory preprimed timber should not be considered as equivalent to properly primed timber. Joinery, cladding and other timber building materials delivered to the site unpainted should be primed all around as soon as practicable. Any cutting or handling that removes primer or leaves uncoated end-grain should be primed before final fixing. Likewise any primed work that has been allowed to deteriorate through exposure, should be cleaned down and re-primed. Exterior hardboard wall claddings are usually supplied factory primed. Some unprimed boards do not require priming when timber coloured, 100% acrylic finishes are used. The unprimed and primed boards should normally be paint finished within 60 days after fixing, as recommended by the manufacturer. It is important that any surface to be painted, whether previously painted or not, should be suitably prepared to receive paint. Painting should not be undertaken during extremely hot weather or when temperatures fall below 10 degrees

Maintenance
Because of the wide variation in the severity of exposure conditions, the variability of timber substrates, the care taken in the initial priming and finishing, and the number of systems applied over a period of years, it is impossible to predict the service life of a paint system before complete re-coating is necessary. Although on average, a period of 5 to 10 years may be expected, it is more likely that specific areas, such as those adjacent to timber end-grain, window sills facing north, or sharp arrised sections, may need remedial coating before this time. In order to minimise such action, it is advisable to give those areas an additional coat, either primer or top coat at the time of initial painting. The opposite situation arises on areas which are well protected, such as under wide eaves or verandas, which may not need re-coating on each repaint occasion, particularly as too great a build-up of paint will ultimately require major maintenance involving complete stripping before coating again. While excessive paint film build up is to be discouraged, it is nevertheless most important to re-coat before general deterioration occurs. The presence of mould and mildew requires removal with fungicidal washes, and rinsing and drying before subsequent coats are applied. If this is not done, mould can spread between coats of paint and result in lifting of the paint film and discolouration. Stains require more frequent maintenance but this is generally much easier to carry out both in terms of surface preparation and in coating application. Reference should also be made to Datafile P4 - Timberdesign for durability. The presence of mould and mildew requires removal with fungicidal washes, and rinsing and drying before subsequent coats are applied. If this is not done, mould can spread between coats of paint and result in lifting of the paint film and discolouration. Stains require more frequent maintenance but this is generally much easier to carry out both in terms of surface preparation and in coating application. Reference should also be made to Datafile P4 - Timberdesign for durability.

NAFI Timber Manual Datafile FM1 - Exterior Finishes for Timber

White opaque finish protects timber and contrasts with dark finished sun-protected walls.

10

Specifications
For detailed specification clauses, reference should be made to Datafile SP1 Timber Specifications. Recommendations are also provided in Section 9, AS/ NZS 2311, Guide to the Painting of Buildings. The following is a check list of some items which should be included in the specification of timber finishes selected finish - brand, product range, colour finish system - primer, undercoat, finish coats (number) substrate preparation timber edges to be arrised or rounded priming of joints extra coats - sills, rails, etc. maintenance

Other References
1. Wood in Australia, K.R. Bootle McGraw Hill. 2. AS/NZS 2311 Guide to the Painting of Buildings, Standards Australia 3. Finishes for Exterior Timber, TRADA (UK). 4. Surface Coatings, Volume 1 and 2, Oil and Colour Chemists Association of Australia. 5. Finishing Wood Exteriors, Selection, Application and Maintenance, U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook No. 647. 6. NATSPEC 570 Painting, Australian Building Industry Specifications Pty. Ltd. 7. Guide to the Painting of Exterior Timber, Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation Inc.

Clear acrylic finish to western red cedar cladding.

Observation deck finished with opaque decking stain.

11

NAFI Timber Manual Datafile FM1 - Exterior Finishes for Timber

For further information contact these timber organisations:

NATIONAL National Association of Forest Industries Forest Industries House 24 Napier Close Deakin ACT 2600 Tel: 02 6162 9000 Fax: 02 6285 3855 Internet: www.nafi.com.au Email: enquiries@nafi.com.au Australian Plantation Products and Paper Industry Council (A3P) Level 3, Tourism House 40 Blackall Street Barton ACT 2600 Tel: 02 6273 8111 Fax: 02 6273 8011 QUEENSLAND Timber Queensland 500 Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 Tel: 07-3254 1989 Fax: 07-3358 1411 Email: admin@timberqueensland.com.au NEW SOUTH WALES Timber Development Association NSW Ltd 13-29 Nichols Street Surry Hills NSW 2010 Tel: 02-9360 3088 Fax: 02-9360 3464 Email: showroom@tdansw.asn.au VICTORIA Timber Promotion Council of Victoria 320 Russell Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Tel: 03-9665 9255 Fax: 03-9255 9266 Email: tpcvic@tpcvic.org.au TASMANIA Tasmanian Timber Promotion Board Suite 22/11 Morrison Street Hobart TAS 7000 Tel: 03-6224 1033 Fax: 03-6224 1030 Email: fiat@southcom.com.au SOUTH AUSTRALIA Timber Development Association of SA 113 Anzac Highway Ashford SA 5035 Tel: 08-8297 0044 Fax: 08-8297 2772 Email: peter.llewellyn@bigpond.com WESTERN AUSTRALIA Timber Advisory Centre (WA) Homebase Expo 55 Salvado Road Subiaco WA 6008 Tel: 08-9380 4411 Fax: 08-9380 4477 Email: i.hearn@fifwa.asn.au

White and grey opaque finishes emphasise unusual shape of timber covered entrance to resort restaurant.

NAFI Timber Manual Datafile FM1 - Exterior Finishes for Timber

12