Questions & Answers 

Water is the activating factor

After the application of all three treatment coats  (2 coats of SiOO:X Premium Wood Protector + 1 coat of SiOO:X Premium Surface Protector), and when dry, the surface needs to be in contact with water to activate the silicon to form a network of silica crystals. This crystallisation eventually makes the surface become a beautiful silver-grey colour and smooth and strong. This process can take up to 2 months depending on how much it rains for the effect to show. Thereafter, the crystallisation continues to develope for up to three years.

On treated wood which is sheltered such as under roof eaves or where rain water cannot reach, we recommend that you should rinse the surface with water several times.

If you want to accelerate the silica crystal formation, you can use a brush and work in the water.

Before silica crystals have had time to form a finished surface, it will look a yellowish brown. Be patient, wait and water.

How to prepare the surface before treatment

The surface must be clean. New untreated timber can be coated with SiOO:X directly.

Older timber or timber which has been oiled, such as a patio or balcony which has blackened, needs to be cleaned. You either need to wash with a pressure washer and decking detergent or caustic soda. Rinse well. Alternatively, you can sand the whole patio or timber surface.

On untreated wood that is well maintained, it is sufficient that you wash off with the SiOO:X Maintenance Wash. Wash and rinse well.

Questions:

1. Do I need to cover adjacent surfaces when I want to coat with SiOO:X?

Glass, stone, aluminum and metal must be protected. If the treatment spills on these surfaces, wipe directly with a wet cloth (the tip is to have a bucket of water and cloth available). It is best to mask surfaces such as glass if possible.

Galvanized sheets are not damaged by SiOO:X Impregnation.

2. How do I apply SiOO:X?

The easiest and best way by hand is to use a broad brush on a shaft. Add it on thickly and then distribute well. Brush away excess fluid.

On new projects an option is to purchase timber which has been factory treated with SiOO:X. This is a better option if there is a need to apply when the weather is unpredicable or in cold winter conditions. Factory treatment by SiOO:X approved coaters ensurers excellent quality control.

3. It has rained before the Surface Protector was applied. What do I do?

SiOO:X Wood Protection tolerates some light showers but it can leach out if it rains lightly over about 45 minutes or there is more than about 5 mm of rain. In this case apply another full coat of SiOO:X Premium Wood Protector.

With less rain after the second application of  SiOO:X Premium Wood Protector, supplement with a light coat of more SiOO:X Premium Wood Protector.

For longer periods of rain re-treat fully with the SiOO:X Premium Wood Protector.

As soon as the Premium Surface Protector has dried (about 45-60 minutes), it does not matter if it rains.

4. Can SiOO:X be used on newly laid, pressure treated wood?

Yes, but wait until the treated wood has dried, which takes a maximum of two months. The surface should look dried out and feel dry when you iron over it with your hand.

5. Can SiOO:X be used on all types of wood?

Yes! On some of the very dense hardwoods it can be preferable to let the timber weather for anything up to a year to allow the surface to open up. This will allow the SiOO:X treatment to penetrate  better.

6. Some of my patio is covered. How do I get this just as grey as the rest of the patio?

Parts that are covered or which cannot be exposed to rain will take a more time before they are fully grey. They will get there.

These parts can be soaked with water rubbed in with a  brush to speed the crystallsation. Repeat several times.

Usually it takes 4-8 weeks for the parts that are exposed to rain to change colour.

7. Why Is the surface speckled and mottled after I have applied SiOO:X?

Our product requires that it is exposed to rain and moisture to activate the silicon in the liquid.

The formed silica networks are what make the surface a beautiful grey and velvety. This takes place over a period of about 4-8 weeks depending on the weather.

8. The wood surface is really nice but it grows a little green in the corner where there is shade. On the cladding, there are some little black spots. How do I remove and why does this occur?

SiOO:X Impregnation forms a protective and dirt-repellent layer in the wood surface. When it is wet and dirt falls on the surface, a little green or black algae can grow on the surface. Black dots are usually dirt which can be brushed off. There is usually much less of this on SiOO:X treated wood. The wood is protected from algae penetration.

It should be understood that green algae and black algae can grow on almost anything, even metal and stone. When you use the SiOO:X Maintenance Wash, the algae very easily washes off the surface with a brush and hose. Avoid using a pressure washer. If you wash very heavily, you may need to add some SiOO:X Premium Surface Protector to reseal the surface. In severe cases of algae formation, stronger agents should be used to remove it. The SiOO:X Premium Wood Protector itself has a strong cleaning action and can be applied to remove severe cases of algae and staining. Rub/apply the Premium Wood Protector onto the affected area and leave to soak. Wipe away any sediment and leave to dry. Apply a coat of SiOO:X Premium Surface Protector to the cleaned area. See cleaning of extractives and black/grey spore

Very occasionally, freshly treated wood can develop grey spots locally under the SiOO:X envelope in conditions where there is high localised humidity and little air flow. This is not induced by the treatment and can occur where there is sapwood present in the timber. The phenomona is due to discolouring fungi metabolising residual starch in the sapwood and is not harmful, although close up it can look a little unsightly for a while. As the starch depletes and as the treatment cures the grey spots will disappear.Sapwood should not be used on exposed exterior surfaces, but if in doubt a coat of a commercial clear biocide should be applied to the wood and allowed to thoroughly dry before the SiOO:X is applied. See the product specification sheet for more details. Properly specified good quality timber from reputable timber companies should avoid timber containing sapwood being supplied for use on exterior surfaces.

In the case of surface damage, particularly with vulnerable surfaces, apply more SiOO:X Premium Wood Protector followed by the SiOO:X Premium Surface Protector.

9. I have a pool on the wooden deck, can I still use SiOO:X?

Yes, SiOO:X is non-toxic and entirely environmentally friendly.

10. How long does the treatment last?

Up to 10 years for horizontal surfaces and up to 15 years for vertical surfaces.

11. What do I do if there is an injury to the wood?

For light surface damage apply the SiOO:X Premium Surface Protector locally. Where the integrity of the surface has been breached apply both the SiOO:X Premium Wood Protector and the SiOO:X PremiumSurface Protector locally. The surface will evenly grey again after a few months.

12. What do I do when the treatment reaches the end of its lifecycle?

Clean and re-apply the full treatment.