How to Protect Landscape Timbers

Varnish protects exterior wood.

Consult a paint or landscaping supplies store for the product that best suits your needs, then apply the product to your outdoor timber in a few simple steps.

1. Clean the landscape timber surface thoroughly. Use a stiff plastic brush and a paint scraper to remove mold, sap, dust and loose fibers. Apply a professional cleaning product to remove all traces of oil and dirt. This step is crucial to ensure an even, long-lasting finish.

2. Sand the surface to give it a smooth, even finish. If you have an older painted surface, sand the timber until the paint is completely gone and you are left with exposed raw timber. If you have brand new timber, use a fine-grit sandpaper to remove surface imperfections. Always sand in the same direction as the grain. Brush the surface with a fine bristle brush to remove all sanding dust.

3. Mix your varnish product thoroughly with a clean, long, flat piece of spare timber.

4. Apply your product to the timber using a synthetic paint brush. Apply three coats with a minimum of three hours of drying time between each coat.

Tip

If you install new landscaping timber, this process should be completed before the timber is installed. If the finish looks dull or gray in the future, repeat this process to rejuvenate the surface. If you use a stained varnish, keep the empty bottle so that you can purchase the same shade in the future.