BRODA Pro-Tek-Tor FAQs

Why does Pro-Tek-Tor sometimes have a milky appearance after it has been applied?

This is the result of humidity and temperature. The milky appearance will disappear in a short period of time and has no affect on the performance of the product.

If the sun suddenly comes out on what started as a cool and cloudy day, what should I do?

Apply water to the area where you have used Pro-Tek-Tor, as it must stay hydrated to continue to penetrate the wood. Pro-Tek-Tor needs to penetrate deeply into the cell structure of the wood for optimal performance. Continue to wet the wood until the temperature cools below 21oC. The surface of the area where Pro-Tek-Tor was applied should never feel sticky. This is an indication that the natural wood oils do not have enough water to flow into the wood.

Why is surface penetration so important?

Pro-Tek-Tor is a penetrating product. As such, the surface of the wood must be clean and the pores of the wood must be open to allow the wood to absorb as much Pro-Tek-Tor as possible. It is also important to kill as much of the mold and mildew that may be present in the wood as possible, to ensure that they do not continue to grow under the Pro-Tek-Tor-coated surface.

Why is maintenance so important?

Regular maintenance allows the finish to continue looking good as new. By washing the wood surface, dirt, mold and mildew spores are washed off and do not get a chance to start growing and penetrating into the finish and wood. A certain percentage of the Pro-Tek-Tor is worn away by wind, rain, pollution and sun. With minor regular maintenance, the finish can be easily preserved, avoiding the need for complete restoration at a later date.

Why is Pro-Tek-Tor applied to damp, rather than dry wood?

Pro-Tek-Tor uses water to move the natural oils deep into the surface of the wood. Often, the moisture content of the wood is too low, causing the wood to absorb the water faster than the protecting oils in Pro-Tek-Tor, limiting the oil penetration and leaving a sticky surface finish on the wood.

Why is it so important to get Pro-Tek-Tor to penetrate?

Allowing Pro-Tek-Tor to penetrate deep into the surface of the wood enables it to fill and bond to the cells of the wood. UV damage is usually only microns deep behind clear or transparent finishes. This damage is what causes surface film finishes to lose their bond to the wood. When Pro-Tek-Tor is able to penetrate beyond this depth, UV damage is greatly reduced.

How does Pro-Tek-Tor allow a transparent or semi-transparent finish to be maintained over time, without making the wood grow darker and darker, as most finishes do?

When the natural oils of Pro-Tek-Tor penetrate the wood, they take the colour pigments with them. Applying the clear topcoat over the initial tinted layers protects the wood's colour and the wood itself. As the clear coat is regularly maintained, the tinted layers are protected from colour fading, tannin stains and water stains. The clear coat has no pigment in it, so the appearance of the wood never grows darker.

Why does the clear top coat have to be applied?

The clear topcoat protects both the surface of the wood and the tinted stain that has penetrated into the surface layers. The topcoat also has special UV inhibitors to stop the pigments in Pro-Tek-Tor from fading.

Can Pro-Tek-Tor be applied over other finishes?

No. In order to be effective, Pro-Tek-Tor can only be applied to bare wood. It is very important that Pro-Tek-Tor penetrates into the wood and bonds to the wood itself. Another finish between Pro-Tek-Tor and the wood will prevent this from happening.

Can Pro-Tek-Tor be used indoors?

Yes. Pro-Tek-Tor works very well indoors, and has a very low odour. It is also non-toxic and is non-flammable. Pro-Tek-Tor will not darken over time, leaving the interior bright and natural looking.

Why does Pro-Tek-Tor not have a shiny finish?

Shiny finishes are achieved by applying surface films that stay on top of the wood. When applied correctly, Pro-Tek-Tor will not form a surface film, since it penetrates deep into the wood. A semi-gloss appearance can be achieved by applying enough Pro-Tek-Tor to fill up to the surface of the wood.

How do I fix water stains that occur when Pro-Tek-Tor that hasn't completely dried and is suddenly exposed to the rain?

Apply a mixture of 50% water and 50% clear Pro-Tek-Tor to the stain and rub vigorously with a Teflon scrub pad. Pro-Tek-Tor will reactivate itself and the pigments will begin to move. Continue to scrub until the water stains are gone.

Can Pro-Tek-Tor be applied when it is raining out?

Yes, but Pro-Tek-Tor cannot be applied to wood that is getting wet from direct rain, or wood that has rain running across it. Siding or soffits can often be coated with Pro-Tek-Tor, as long as they are protected from rain by overhangs or tarps.

How long will Pro-Tek-Tor last?

Pro-Tek-Tor will continue to look like new as long as regular maintenance is done on an "as needed" basis. Pro-Tek-Tor will last as long or longer than any other premium wood product on the market.