How to Waterproof Wood

Waterproofing wood will enhance its natural color. It can also help prevent scratches, mold, and mildew. With that in mind, 5-Minute Crafts has come up with a guide on how you can do this by yourself.

Step 1

• Use a general cleaner to remove any dirt, mold, and mildew.
• Let the surface dry completely before starting the next step.

Step 2

• Sand down the wood with rough sandpaper.
• Finish it with finer sandpaper to make it smooth and even.
• Wipe the surface of the wood to remove any leftover residue.

Step 3

• Pick a stain or sealant that works for your wooden surface.

Note: They’re usually sold exactly for the application that you need them for.

Step 4

• Apply the stain or sealant to the wood’s surface.
• Sand the surface so that the next layer you will put on sticks better.
• Wipe down the surface with a dry cloth after sanding it.

Note: Use very fine sandpaper for this.

Step 5

• Apply the next layer of stain or sealant.
• Let it dry for 4 to 10 hours.
• If necessary, you can sand the surface again and then apply more stain or sealant.

Step 6

• Let the wood cure for 3 days.
• Afterward, you can start placing things on top of it.