Wood is a unique, natural substrate that appeals to us due to its beauty and natural characteristics. The application of a semi-transparent or transparent stain allows us to highlight the natural grain to bring out and expose its true beauty while adding color to the space. So, are all wood species the same in composition and able to be prepared in the same way, using the same cleaning products? The obvious answer to this question is NO. We can simply tell this by looking at two different wood species and notice the differences in wood color and grain structure. These simple differences are an indication that not all wood species are created the same and their compositions are quite different. Although all wood species contain many of the same components including cellulose, hemicellulose, it is the wood extractives that differentiate wood species from one another.

Wood extractives are compounds present in bark, softwood and heartwood of a tree that contribute to such properties of wood as color, odor, and decay and insect resistance. Consequently, these extractives can also discolor paint and finishes (water soluble extractives) as well as create adhesion issues (oil soluble extractives) for many coating types. Extractives can be characterized as volatile oils (i.e. turpentine), wood resins (i.e. pitch or sap), fats and waxes, lignans (dimer molecules of lignin), tannins and carbohydrates (i.e. food reserves). All wood species contain wood extractives; however, there are a handful of wood species that are characterized as extractive rich woods. This group includes Redwood, Western Red Cedar, Walnut and Mahogany. The second group of wood species that also contains higher levels of wood extractives but not as high as the extractive rich woods include Southern Pine, Douglas Fir, Spruce and Cypress.

Cedar Wash was developed by Perma-Chink Systems as a Ready-to-Use cleaner specifically formulated for preparing the surface of wood species that contain high levels of wood extractives and resin oils. Cedar Wash is designed to remove surface resin oils and high concentrations of water-soluble wood extractives in addition to dirt, grease, grime, pollen and surface mold and mildew without harming the wood.

• • • • Designed specifically for Western Red Cedar and Redwood (Softwoods) and Walnut and Mahogany (Hardwoods).
      • Highly recommended cleaner for Southern Pine, Douglas Fir, Spruce and Cypress.
      • Removes resin oils and wood extractives from the surface of the wood that may inerfere with adhesion of LIFELINE™ exterior stains or Prelude™ to the wood surface.
      • Removes dirt, dust, pollen and other foreign substances from log surfaces.
      • Contains an aggressive detergent package for efficient cleaning of the wood surface.
      • Safe to use on chinking and sealants.
      • Easy to use, Ready-to-Use formula.
      • Low environmental impact

Before Cedar Wash	After Cedar Wash