Sooner or later it happens: one day you look at your terrace, gazebo or outdoor joinery and realise that that wood, once so warm and alive, is now dull, opaque, even greyish.
However, no more guilt! Greying is a physiological and natural process caused by the exposure of wood to ultraviolet rays and weathering. In practice, the sun degrades the lignin, which is the natural ‘glue’ of the wood fibres, leaving the surface more exposed, vulnerable and discoloured.
But while it is natural, it does not mean that it is inevitable. You can actually remove the grey and prevent it from returning, with three simple steps and products that respect wood, people and the environment.
Step 1 – Restore colour: remove grey without sanding
When the wood is already oxidised, you must restore its original colour before impregnating or painting. But there is a much easier and more effective way: use Rio Verde’s Elimina Grigio RR 5050.
This is a specific water-based product, formulated to lighten and revive wood that has been greying by time and sun exposure. It is a gel, so it does not drip, and can also be used on vertical surfaces such as beams, fences and beads.
It works on all types of exterior wood but, beware, it should not be used on painted wood: it is for untreated, oxidised or impregnated wood that has been weathered long before.
How to apply:
- brush the wood to remove dust and dirt;
- apply Elimina Grigio RR 5050 with a brush or roller;
- leave to act 15 minutes;
- brush again (with sorghum or nylon bristles: no metal brushes!) and rinse thoroughly with water;
- leave to dry at least 48 hours.
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Step 2 – Protect in depth: nourish and colour with Impregnating Gel RG xx80
After treatment with Elimina Grigio, the wood is ‘bare’ and ready to absorb new protection.
This is where theimpregnating agent comes into play, penetrating the wood pore, colouring it and protecting it from the inside.
Why choose Rio Verde’sRG xx80 Gel Impregnating Agent?
- It has the consistency of a gel, does not run, and is therefore also perfect for pergolas or vertical pergolas.
- It contains (except in the transparent version) photostable pigments, based on iron oxides, which offerhigh UV protection.
- Makes the surface of the artefact uniform.
- Gives the wood water repellency, protecting it from rain and moisture
- Has a high yield (up to 15 m²/L) and dries in 3 hours.
Application:
- apply 1 or 2 coats with a brush, depending on the porosity of the wood;
- observe drying time (usually 1 or 2 hours);
- work on dry surfaces with no residual moisture.
Tip: Impregnating Gel RG xx80 is available in various colours. A warm tone brings out the grain, while a darker shade is perfect for an elegant, more opaque effect.
Step 3 – Seal and defend the colour with a finish
Protecting wood also means blocking ultraviolet rays and providing an additional barrier to weathering. The finish is the final ‘shield’.
Here the choice depends on the type of exposure of the artefacts and the final effect to be achieved.
For this, it might be useful to answer a small series of questions.
🟢 Are the wooden elements to be protected subject to harsh conditions of sun exposure and moisture (e.g. marine environments)?
- If the answer is yes, then the right product is Rio Verde’s UV Defender Extreme Protection RQ xx70.
This is a finish that is highly resistant to UVA and UVB rays (the most damaging). It is water repellent and increases the protection of wood already treated with water-based impregnating agents. It is easily applied by brush or spray, with a yield of about 10 m²/L. - If the answer is no, then we can go further and ask ourselves another question.
🟢 Is the impregnating agent used in the previous step white?
- If yes, then we recommend the transparent RC 2030 Wax Finish.
With high UV resistance, it forms an elastic film that adapts to the movements of the wood. It is water repellent and can be overpainted over time, making future maintenance easy. - If, on the other hand, we used a non-white impregnating agent, here are the last two questions, which concern the tactile and visual effect.
🟢 What feel do we want the artefact to have?
- A soft, silky feel: then we would opt for the wax-like finish RC xx30.
- A smoother, ‘film-like’ feel: in this case Rio Verde’s classic RF xx20 top coat is perfect. It too protects the wood from water, moisture and UV radiation.
🟢 Do we want a natural effect surface or a high-gloss surface?
- For a natural effect, we prefer RC xx30 Wax Finish. With just 12 glosses, it gives a super-matt appearance.
- For a matt effect, on the other hand, you can opt for the classic Finitura RF xx20 in the Transparent, Light Chestnut-Walnut and Walnut versions.
- Finally, for a semi-gloss effect, the classic Finitura RF 1120 Transparent semi-gloss.
Bonus: six-monthly maintenance in minutes
Anche il miglior ciclo protettivo ha bisogno di una “coccola” ogni tanto.
Ecco come mantenere la protezione nel tempo, senza dover ripetere tutto da capo ogni anno:
- Pulire la superficie con il Detergente neutro T.Clean RR 1050 di Rio Verde. È un prodotto che pulisce senza intaccare la finitura. Inoltre non lascia depositi e non necessita di risciacqui.
- Dopo l’asciugatura, vaporizzare il Ravvivante T.Top+ RR 1250. Rigenera il film protettivo e ridona lucentezza e morbidezza al tatto.
Con questo semplice rituale, è possibile posticipare anche di 4-5 anni la manutenzione completa!
