Water stained window sills - How to repair and finish
G'day People,
I bought my first home last year and my fiancee has created a rather large list of jobs to do (at least I have an excuse to buy some power tools).
One of them is repairing our water damaged (ie: stained) window sills. To summerise, the window is a type of hardwood (I don't know how to identify it), which has been color stained, but it looks like that was all. (ie: no protective coat)
Over the past 15 years, water has condensed on the inside of the glass from time to time and caused lots of water stains (black and brown blotches) on the top of the wood. It is also very easy to scratch the stained surface with your finger.
I've found a few web pages that reconmend sanding back, applying wood bleach (oxyalic acid) solutions, washing off with alkaline water (to neatralise the acid which if left on will lighten the stain you apply - apparently).
However, before I go ahead, I was wondering if anyone had some pointers. After re-staining the window, should I give it a few coats of hard shellac or cabothane. I would like the finish to be much more resilient to water staining if possible.
Great forum this!
Thanks
Luke
It may be too late but my 2 cents worth..
We had the same problem, tried many stains and finish combinations (Wattyl products) and finally ended up with Sikkens Cetol HLS. As Mick sugested, it works well.
You can get some free samples, contact Sikkens / Tenaru on 1800338871 for location of their delers.
Furniture oil based stuff on window sills pickup dirt quickly, this finish doesn't, but take a long time to dry (more thAN A DAY, thin it with thinner and apply with a pad).
Cheers,
Theva