Replies

1. 
   Piffin | May 06, 2002 09:32pm | #1

   You should seal it. The properties of the wood prevent it from rotting but there arre other environmental damages any wood is susceptable to. Drying lignans from the UV rays of the sun, checking from wood movement, ice splitting from moisture getting in small checks and freezing to expansion, water penetration from screw or nail holes, etc. Sealing with an oil based and UV resistant product will help it last longer and look better. Most places that sell the wood have a product that works well locally. Some of these have a recommendation that you let the wood weather for a time first.

   So sealing can help it last a lifetime without showing much wear. That's good conservation and environmental concern - not wasting it by having to replace it too soooon.

   Ironwoods are mostly harvested in ecologiocally managed plantations nowadays. Most of it is actually the wood that used to be burned in the slash and burn itinerant/indigent subsistance lifestyle once practiced commonly in South America. Back then it was too hard to harvest with typical tools. It is commercially marketable now because of carbide tipped blades becoming much more commonplace. An example of technology making the world a better place for all of us.

   (greenpeace nuts go stick your heads back in the sand)

   Excellence is its own reward!
2. 
   Mongo | May 07, 2002 01:25am | #2

   Here's what I do:

   After cutting to length, all cut ends of boards should be end sealed. Use a paraffin or water-based wax emulsion end sealer. End sealing helps reduce most end checking. The sooner the ends are sealed after cutting, the more effective it will be.

   If a natural weathered look is desired, Ipe will normally season in 6 to 12 months. The wood will turn a silvery gray color and no further maintenance will be required except for normal cleaning. If you intend to allow your deck to weather naturally, a wood stabilizing agent such as "Seasonite" (by Flood Co.) should be applied immediately after installation. This stabilizing agent can also help prevent minor surface checking that has the potential of occurring on some of the deck boards during the natural drying and seasoning process of the wood.

   For installations where a "finished wood" appearance is desired, apply a premium penetrating oil finish with a high U.V. inhibitor rating such as "Penofin" (by Performance Coatings). The finish should be reapplied periodically to maintain the desired color, depending upon the exposure to the sun and surface wear.

   As piffin mentioned, most Ipe available in the States is now taken from "plantations" and harvested in a supposedly responsible manner.

3. 
   MalibuJim | May 07, 2002 01:32am | #3

   I have to second the recommendation on using "Penofin" brand sealers. At a building trade show a couple of years ago, they had a big display and representives from the main distributor here in Southern California. They also had a cans of the Penofin sealer on display and recommended it as the only sealer to use.