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.

Do I need to seal my Ipe deck?

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.

Can you leave Ipe unfinished?

You can have your Ipe decking pre-finished with Penofin Hardwood Formula before you bring it on site, or pre-finish it yourself with Penofin or another sealer with UV inhibitor. This helps achieve proper acclimation on-site. Choose not to seal the Ipe and it will naturally age to a coveted silvery patina over time.

How do you finish an Ipe wood floor?

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.

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.

Should IPE 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.

How do I protect my IPE decking?

If you love the color of your new deck and want to preserve those hues, you’ll need to use a sealer on your ipe every year or two. Consider Hardwood Decking’s Ipe Oil Hardwood Deck Finish & UV Protector. This product protects and preserves the beauty of your ipe deck.

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.

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.

What is the best oil for ipe wood?

Ipe is just too dense and oily to make a good substrate for film-forming finishes, and even has a hard time accepting penetrating oils. Even so, a good penetrating oil with a high trans-oxide pigment content is our preferred ipe finish; we’ve had the best luck with Penofin’s Marine Oil.

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Can you pressure wash Ipe?

You can leave your new Ipé decking with its original natural colour. … If you decide to bring back the natural finish colour, you simply need to pressure wash your deck. We recommend the Saicos Wood Brightener (follow product instructions), followed by a light sanding to smooth the surface – and it’s done!

Can you use linseed oil on Ipe?

Linseed oil is inexpensive and is available at any hardware store. Simply wipe linseed oil on your Ipe furniture with a rag, and wipe off any excess after 30 minutes. Even better than linseed oil is a UV-resistant penetrating oil called Penofin Exotic Hardwood Finish.

Can I paint Ipe?

First, sand the ipe with coarse-grit sandpaper to rough up the surface a bit. This will give the paint something to cling to. Then, apply several layers of oil-based primer. Finally, you can paint the ipe, but use an oil-based paint instead of the usual latex stuff.

How do you maintain ipe wood?

Wash your Ipe wood surfaces with a nylon bristle brush or soft towel and Penofin® Pro-Tech Wood Cleaner to remove surface dirt, scrubbing in the same directions as the grain of the wood, then rinse off with water. Once complete allow to dry. In a pinch, you may use mild dish soap, then rinse clean with water.

When should I oil my ipe deck?

Apply Ipe Oil® or Ipe Oil® Plus™ when surface temperatures are between 40F and 90F. If surface is hot to the touch, it is too hot to apply product. Do not apply product if precipitation is expected within 24-48 hours.

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.

Can IPE oil be used on pressure treated wood?

It aids in preserving the natural beauty of these exotic wood types. IPE Oil Hardwood is an oil-based VOC compliant formula. Naturally dense hardwoods such as IPE are difficult to penetrate. The stain will always fade quicker on these wood types than other types of exterior woods like cedar and pressure-treated pine.

How do you remove IPE oil?

1. Apply liberally to deck or wood surface.
2. Let stripper work for 10-15 minutes.
3. Lightly pressure wash or heavy scrub with stiff brush.
4. Repeat for stubborn areas.
5. After using Stain Stripper, the wood needs to be neutralized with a Wood Brightener.

Is it OK to sand Ipe?

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.

Do termites eat Ipe?

Not because Ipe decking isn’t delicious, but because this material is extremely dense. Ipe is so impervious that insects, including termites, don’t stand a chance. Since they don’t have the ability to actually digest wood, termites usually choose to enjoy softer species, or decomposing wood.

Does Ipe wood expand?

Well, not literally, but throughout the course of the year hardwood decking will absorb and release moisture from the air. This process makes the wood expand and contract. … For ipe decking, the average rate of shrinkage is roughly 1/16″ on 4″ wide boards and 3/32″ on 6″ wide boards.

Can you mix tung oil and linseed oil?

The standard mixture is 1/3 Boiled Linseed Oil or Tung Oil, 1/3 thinner (mineral spirits, paint thinner, turpentine, naptha), and 1/3 varnish (poly, spar, etc..). Now the blend mentioned in Brian’s question involved using both linseed oil and tung oil. That’s a bit redundant. … Add more thinner.

What is teak oil?

Teak oil, strange as it may seem, has nothing to do with the Teak Tree. As with Danish oil, it’s made from a blend of ingredients, namely Linseed oil, pure Tung oil, mineral spirits (petroleum naphtha) and varnish. Petroleum naphtha is derived from petroleum and is used as a thinner for the oil.

Can you soak wood in linseed oil?

A good thick coating of cured linseed oil can help prevent the entry of moisture, and anytime oil is used on a handle, some of it soaks into the wood to some depth, bringing in the factor of penetration, which must help some. A coating is basically still very thin though and will wear off over time.

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.

How long will an ipe deck 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.