Kiln dried after treatment (KDAT) lumber offers many advantages to homeowners looking for the natural beauty of real wood. This type of wood is kiln dried to remove the excess moisture, cutting down on the wait period prior to staining or sealing. When using Defy wood stains the wait period for new wood is about a month. Although the wood has been previously dried it is still best to allow it to acclimate to the climate prior to staining.

After a month the wood needs to be cleaned to remove mill glaze. Failure to remove the mill glaze can jeopardize the Defy stain’s performance. Use Defy wood cleaner and a pressure washer to wash the wood thoroughly. Do not use excessive pressure or the wood fibers may be damaged. Once the wood is cleaned and the mill glaze removed, apply Defy wood brightener as directed. This allows the wood pours to open and creates a more acidic surface, which will allow for better stain penetration.

Allow the new wood to dry out after cleaning for about a day or two. Apply your favorite color of Defy wood stain using a brush, roller, stain pad, or sprayer. Be sure not to over apply the stain. Once the wood is coated with Defy it will remain protected for several seasons as long as the wood was prepped correctly using Defy wood cleaner and brightener.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is not washing the wood prior to staining. Some believe that because the wood is new it’s okay just to apply stain. However, mill glaze, which is created from extreme heat due to friction of the saw blade can create a film on the wood that will make it difficult for any stain or sealer to penetrate. This can cause premature failure of the stain product. So be sure to prep your KDAT wood a month after it is installed then stain with Defy for the best results.