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Can Drylok Go on Wood? (All You Need to Know)

Many of us aren’t engaged in masonry construction on a regular basis, so the word “Drylok” may be new to us. To be honest, one should understand the meaning of this phrase because it is really crucial in our day-to-day lives.

Drylok is primarily a liquid solution that contains a mix of paint and cement. It’s a basement and masonry wall sealant that protects your walls and concrete against water runoff and leaks.

Drylok is currently one of the most well-known waterproofing industries on the market, producing America’s top masonry goods such as paints, sealers, and concrete waterproofing solutions.

Let’s look at whether Drylok can be used on wood, as well as the paint type, durability, and some other details of Drylok waterproofer.

Can Drylok go on wood?

Drylok can be used on wood. In addition to wooden surfaces, Drylok may be used on metal and terra cotta. Drylok, on the other hand, is not ideal for use on any random surface since it was designed to protect specific types of surfaces, primarily masonry walls, against water leakage.

There are different kinds of paint that are commercially available all over the market nowadays. But not all of them guarantee protection from untimely leakage of water and other elements.

For example, if you live in an area that is prone to natural disasters and it can rain at any time, ordinary paint on your concrete walls will not protect them from damage.

Besides, the rain water easily starts penetrating the wall, resulting in leakage in the concrete. Additionally, there is a high possibility that your basement will also become flooded with water if it is not well protected with a sealant.

That’s why using Drylok sealants is very important in order to keep the overall concrete of your house protected.

Furthermore, because Drylok is suitable for use on wooden surfaces, it can be used in wooden basements. Therefore, use Drylok on wood in order to protect it from water seepages.

What type of paint is Drylok? What is Drylok paint used for?

Both water-based and oil-based paints are available from Drylok. Many Drylok water-based paints are also referred to as latex-based paints by their users.

In comparison to the oil-based Drylok, the latex-based Drylok is always seen to be a better solution. Because latex paints are considerably superior than oil-based paints when it comes to painting convenience.

Oil-based latex paints are more toxic and difficult to clean up than Drylok latex paints. Furthermore, any oil-based paint, including the oil-based Drylok paints, has a persistent ability to hold back stains.

Drylok paints are used to keep moisture out of brick, concrete block, and other porous materials. It’s ideal for moist areas including basements, foundations, and other structures. 

Which Drylok product is best for use on wood?

There are many types of drylok available in the market. Let’s find out which ones works best on wood.

Drylok-Extreme Masonry Waterproofer:

If you have wood that needs heavy-waterproofing and extra protection from water and moisture, then Drylok-Extreme Masonry Waterproofer is the ultimate product for you.

Drylok-Extreme is a water-resistant sealant that is guaranteed to keep wood secure. It can endure 15 pounds of hydrostatic pressure (PSI), which is comparable to a 33-foot-high wall of water.

It is eco-friendly and comes with a 15-year guarantee that can be transferred (given by the manufacturers). By decreasing vapor transmission, it also helps to guard against radon gas penetration.

Its pricing is rather costly compared to the other Drylok products since it has such extensively customized protective capabilities. However, if you want to ensure that your wooden creations are completely waterproof, the cost is well worth it.

Drylok Latex Concrete Floor Paint:

Drylok Latex Concrete Floor Paint works great if you want to give water protection to your indoor wooden constructions, such as wooden staircases and other small wooden establishments inside the house.

It is indeed considered a masonry floor treatment that has been formulated scientifically. Although this paint is not waterproof, it is a good option for protecting the wood in places that do not come into direct contact with water.

Drylok E1 1-Part Epoxy Floor Paint:

So far, we’ve mostly talked about latex-based Drylok products, which are some of the best options for working with wood. However, now, we are going to talk about a Drylok oil-based element that can also be used on wood. 

The oil-based E1 is a semi-gloss mixture made with the combination of epoxy and paint that you may use on wood.

Moreover, Drylok E1 paint now offers a new low VOC 50 g/L composition that incorporates sophisticated epoxy technology for improved protection and durability.

It was independently tested and shown to be very water-resistant, colorfast, durable, and chemical resistant.

Thus, epoxy paint might very well be used on a variety of surfaces, including wooden tables and floors, in addition to concrete.

Drylok Original Masonry Waterproofer:

Drylok Original Masonry Waterproofer sticks to the wooden surfaces quite fast and nicely. Thus, it gives hard-core protection to your wood from moisture and ensures solid waterproofing.

Moreover, it can handle the water pressure of approximately up to the wall height of 22 feet, i.e., 10 PSI. Frankly speaking, Drylok original tends to give a grainy texture upon application.

Therefore, if you are okay with this type of grainy texture on your wooden surface, then this is the ideal product for you.

How to use Drylok on wood?

Using dryolk on wood can be a wise decision as it can helps to prevent water from penetrating. But how you can use it properly, let’s find out.

Choose the correct product from Drylok:

The first and foremost thing that is very important in terms of using Drylok on wood is choosing the correct product of Drylok. Not every wooden project requires the same Drylok products.

Therefore, it is highly recommended to test the Drylok product on a few sample pieces of wood in order to finalize the correct Drylok as per the requirement.

Examine thoroughly if the wood is dry or wet:

It is very important to examine whether the wood is dry or wet before you apply the Drylok.

Wood surfaces are porous in nature. As a result, if you apply the Drylok paint to a wet wooden surface, it won’t be able to absorb the paint properly.

The wood fibers won’t be able to absorb the paint. If a wooden surface fails to soak up the Drylok properly, you won’t get the desired result of waterproofing your wood.

Besides, it would also ruin the durability of the wood, which could cause several issues in the near future.

Sand the wood nicely:

Before applying your Drylok product, you’ll need to sand the wood surface with a fine-grit sandpaper. Many people may overlook this as a minor thing. However, it is a critical step that should not be skipped.

Sanding the wood first causes cuts and scrapes on the surface, which helps the paint adhere to the surface and increases your likelihood of succeeding.

It would still stick if you put a coat of paint or waterproofing on the wood without sanding it.

However, the paint or the waterproofing is not going to last for long. Sanding the wooden surface first helps eliminate any dirt, filth, and small defects.

When you’ve completed sanding the wooden surface, use a brush to remove any dust, or use compressed air to blow it down thoroughly. To apply the initial layer, you’ll need a clean surface. Wipe it off using a dry cloth rather than a moist cloth.

Apply thick layers of Drylok to the wood:

The main objective here is to apply a thick coat of waterproofing to the wood. Therefore, a minimum of three coats is highly recommended.

The first layer should be thin and consistent in thickness. Ensure that the Drylok reaches all of the dips and recesses. Before moving on to the next coat, let it dry fully.

The next coat should be somewhat thicker than the prior. Continue applying the paint in this manner, giving each coat plenty of time to dry. Each layer may take a little longer to dry since it will be thicker than the one before it.

How long will Drylok last on wood?

Drylok lasts for 10-15 years on wood. However, different products of Drylok have different durability as per their element and purpose of use.

Using the right type can help you with making it last longer on wood surfaces.

Does Drylok prevent mold and moisture on wood?

Drylok most definitely prevents mold and moisture on wood as well. The products by Drylok create an inert layer on the wooden surfaces. This inert layer prevents the growth of mold and mildew on wood.

Wood has a porous surface, which makes it very vulnerable to moisture and external absorption. Drylok works as a sealant and prevents moisture from entering the wooden surface.

Thus, mold and mildew cannot grow on wood as Drylok prevents moisture from getting into it.

Final thoughts

Drylok can be used on wood as well as metallic and terra cotta surfaces. It cannot be used on any random surface because it was made for a specific purpose, which is to protect masonry walls from water runoff. Therefore, keep Drylok away from surfaces other than wood, metal, and terra cotta.