Maintenance
All of our bars are constructed using yellow pine lumber that's suitable for outdoor use in all seasons. Pressure treated lumber contains chemicals to prevent rot and deter insects, but does not prevent moisture from being absorbed by the wood. Over time, the wood may crack and splinter or even warp. We strongly encourage you to seal your new bar after we assemble it. Sealing can be achieved using an exterior grade paint or a combo stain and sealer. An added plus of using a sealer is that it provides UV protection to keep your bar's color from fading due to the sun,
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Wait for the wood to be completely dry. You can feel different areas of the bar to see if it's dry.
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Sand every surface down. A sandpaper of 120 grit should suffice. note, hairline cracks tend to appear in the wood when it drys out - this is normal and does not compromise the bar. You can use wood filler in any imperfections and rub it in with your finger and sand down once dry.
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Paint or seal using a brush or paint pad. Reminder, if you're painting, prime the wood first. If staining the wood, use a combination stain/seal product. There are many different options for purchase. We suggest using a lighter colored stain on your new bar as it gives you more freedom to go darker if desired.
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For countertops only, once they are painted or stained, we suggest finishing them in a coat of polyurethane to help protect them from accidental spills or stains.
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Staining Your New Bar
Recently pressure treated wood has a high moisture content and could take a few weeks to dry. It is ineffective to stain pressure treated wood if it's still wet.
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One way to determine if the wood is dry enough to stain is to do the "sprinkle" test, Sprinkle water on the wood - if the wood absorbs it within 10 minutes, you can stain ASAP. If it beads up on the surface, it needs more drying time.
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Preparing and Applying Stain
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Stain needs time to absorb but dries quickly. We suggest avoiding applying the stain in direct sunlight.
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Protect the area underneath and around the bar when staining. Use tarps and painter's tape.
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Stir the stain thoroughly and use a paint tray.
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Apply the stain to a small section of the wood to confirm that you like the way it looks.
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Stain using a paint pad applicator or brush. A spray gun is not recommended.
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Use caution when applying stain to ship lap boards to prevent overruns from penetrating the ship lap.
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Allow the stain thorough time to dry - at least 24 hours.
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Painting Pressure Treated Wood
Exterior paint is less likely to adhere to pressure treated wood and may peel. Some experts advise staining or sealing pressure treated wood instead of painting, but painting your bar is possible if you follow the following steps:
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Allow the wood to dry completely and prepare the same way you would as if you were staining.
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Use a bristle brush to apply primer designed for exterior use on pressure treated wood
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For best results, apply at least 2 coats of latex paint using a brush
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Sealing Pressure Treated Wood (without a Stain)
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Most exterior stains contain some sealant to protect the wood.
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A sealant is a good way to protect the wood's surface while showcasing the natural wood grain
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A product that combines stain and sealer adds protection, but sealants are not recommended to be used on top of stained wood
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Choose a UV repellent product when sealing pressure treated wood
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Apply sealant in the same way as you would to apply stain
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