Wooden products change and deform depending on temperature and humidity. If you want to reduce the risk of such changes, you can give the wood additional strength by chemical treatment. This will add weight and color to the wood as you saturate the wood with a liquid chemical that dries and hardens. There are dozens of different ways to give wood strength, of which we will consider the most common.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Wood hardener
Step 1. Buy a Minwax or other brand of wood hardener for small projects or refinishes
It will help strengthen crumbling wood.
Step 2. Sand the surface to remove as much rotten wood as possible
Ideally, you need to get to the untouched wood and strengthen it. There should be no oil or paint on the surface to be treated, as they prevent absorption.
Step 3. The wet surface can be dried with a hair dryer
It must be completely dry before processing.
Step 4. Organize a closed workspace
Place the wood on the table. Wear gloves, a respirator, and safety goggles.
Step 5. Shake the hardener jar well
Use a disposable bristle brush that is large enough to cover all parts of the work piece.
Step 6. Treat the area with hardener
Apply several coats in succession to increase the strength of the wood. The surface should be shiny.
Step 7. Leave to dry for 2-4 hours
Fill all cracks with a special putty before reapplying the hardener.
Method 2 of 3: Salted dough
Step 1. This method is suitable for those who want to use natural ingredients instead of harsh chemicals
Remember to wear gloves anyway.
Step 2. Dry the wood immediately
If the air humidity is high, use a dehumidifier so that there is no excess moisture in the heated wood. Be aware that excessive heat can cause wood to warp.
Step 3. Mix 350 g of table salt and 1 liter of water to make a dough
Stir well. Let it brew for a few hours.
Step 4. Add cornstarch in cups until you have a pasty consistency
Your dough should be like muffin dough.
Step 5. Separate the three egg yolks from the whites
Add protein to the solution to reduce flaking.
Step 6. Organize a support that will allow you to put the wooden product in an upright position
Step 7. Apply a thick layer of dough on both sides of the part
The moisture must dry on both sides at the same time.
Step 8. Let the parts dry in a well ventilated or heated area with low humidity
The whole process can take from a few days to a couple of weeks.
Step 9. The final finishing is done according to your wishes
Method 3 of 3: Pentacryl
Step 1. Pentacryl works well on fresh wood that has not yet dried
A “blank” or wooden board can be successfully processed, taking precautions to dry evenly.
Step 2. Do not place the workpiece in a warm place to dry until it is ready to be heated
Drying should take place gradually, without cracks or deformation. This is what you use the stabilizer for.
Step 3. Buy Pentacryl wood stabilizer
Work in a well-ventilated area. Cover the work area with curtains.
- Do not forget that the required amount of Pentacryl depends solely on the size of the wood. This method is suitable for both small blanks and large parts.
- A small can of Pentacryl can be very expensive.
Step 4. Prepare the wood impregnation bath
The part must fit into the container without touching the edges. Kitchen plastic containers can be used for small parts, and a baby bathtub covered with material is perfect for large parts.
Step 5. Place a wooden pallet on the bottom so that the wood does not touch the bottom
Step 6. Pour Pentacryl onto the wood piece
Don't pour too much liquid. Spread the Pentacryl immediately over the surface with a brush, especially if you have a large part; for small thin boards this is not so critical.
Step 7. Cover the wood with polyethylene so that the top layer does not dry out during the impregnation process
For this, plastic wrap is quite suitable.
Step 8. The raw wood must absorb the Pentacryl
As the stabilizer is absorbed, the top surface of the wood will begin to darken from the inside. Saturate the part for two to three days, and for a large size, a week.
Step 9. After absorbing the Pentacryl, move the wood piece to dry
If it seems to you that the wood is not saturated enough, then repeat the impregnation process. If that's enough, move it to a basement or room without direct sunlight or air movement.
Place the piece on the end to allow moisture to dry on both sides of the board
Step 10. Dry for eight weeks
If the wood dries too quickly, cut out the cardboard sheets and tape them to the outside of the piece to slow down the drying process.