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Plascon Woodcare is a range of varnishes
and sealers which are used for protecting
and beautifying all wood. Our products
are technologically formulated to
withstand the harsh South African
climate and environmental conditions,
making it the natural choice for our
customers.
Types of Wood:
(Depending on the type of wood
and number of coats applied, the colours may differ.)
What are Softwoods?
The term “softwood” actually refers to a
group of di erent species of trees from
which the wood is harvested. A general
rule of thumb is that softwoods come
from coniferous or “evergreen” trees e.g.
Pine, Cedar and Redwood. Conifers are
fast-growing, can be easily cultivated
and produce relatively straight trunks,
which makes harvesting and processing
much less expensive. Softwood/Conifers
are also used in the manufacturing of
fibreboard and paper.
What are Hardwoods?
These are woods that come from
deciduous (Broad leafed) trees and have
a close grain. Types of hardwoods used
for furniture construction are Walnut,
Oak, Mahogany, Teak, Kiaat, Balau,
Maple and Cherry. Most hardwoods
are very durable and heavy. Pieces of
furniture made from these woods last for
many years under normal use. While Oak
and Maple hardwoods are considered
somewhat informal; Mahogany, Teak,
Cherry and Walnut are used in more
traditional or formal interiors.
When coating very hard woods such as
Teak, special attention on preparation
needs to be done to ensure adhesion of
the coating.
Contact Plascon Advisory Service
on 0860 20 40 60
What is varnish?
Varnish is applied to the surface of the
wood to provide a protective layer against
damage. Varnishes do not penetrate
into the wood; they block the surface
of the wood to o er protection against
moisture. Recoating may only be
necessary after several years internally
or three years externally, however, the
preparation before recoating might
include having to strip o all the old
varnish right down to raw wood. This
depends if the previous coat of varnish
has started to crack or peel and if the
underlying wood surface has been
damaged.
What is a sealer?
Sealer is combination of resins and
oils, but with a lower thickness than
varnish, which means that sealer actually
penetrates into the wood itself to nourish
and protect from within, rather than
on top. Wood that has been coated
with a sealer will typically need to be
recoated every 1 to 2 years depending
on conditions. However, the preparation
and process is quick and simple. These
products produce a more natural finish.
Should I use a sealer, oil or a varnish?
Varnishes and Sealers are available for
both interior and exterior applications.
The decision on whether to use a varnish
or sealer depends on the type of finish
and lifespan that you require from the
coating.