How to Protect and Maintain Ipe Wood

One of the great advantages of ipe is that it does not need to be protected to remain durable. As it is a naturally rot-proof wood, it is very resistant to moisture, mold, and bad weather, even when left unfinished.

However, without protection, its color will gradually change. Under the effect of the sun and precipitation, ipe will lose its rich original hues to adopt the characteristic silvery-gray color of UV-exposed wood.

Since ipe is often chosen for its high-end appearance, many owners prefer to preserve its natural color rather than let it gray.

The exceptional density of ipe is one of the reasons for its durability. However, this characteristic also comes with a constraint: not all finishing products are compatible with this type of wood.

Since the pores of ipe are very tight, conventional exterior stains have difficulty penetrating the wood. The finish remains on the surface, and it wears prematurely or peels over time.

The best option: penetrating oils

To protect ipe, penetrating oils for exotic woods generally remain the most effective solution.

Unlike film-forming stains, oils are designed to penetrate the wood rather than form a layer on the surface. This penetration capacity is particularly important when working with a wood as dense as ipe.

In addition, natural oils benefit from a longer absorption time than many water-based products. They therefore have more time to penetrate the wood grain and help preserve the richness of its natural color.

If your goal is to preserve the warm and luxurious appearance of ipe for as long as possible, a penetrating oil adapted to exotic woods is generally the preferred choice.

A) Clean the ipe before applying oil

Before treating ipe, make sure the surface is perfectly clean. Many people are content with a simple pressure washer cleaning, but this is not always enough to remove grease, contaminants, and residues that can hinder oil penetration.

Ideally, use a cleaner designed for outdoor surfaces to deeply decontaminate the wood before application. Glouros cleaner is perfect for removing all types of contaminants found on ipe boards.

If your ipe has started to gray, use a graying remover cleaner like Wood Wash. This type of product eliminates dead wood cells and deposits responsible for the gray coloration. For smaller surfaces or when you want to recover as much of the original color as possible, there are also renovators specially designed for exotic woods.

• Start by rinsing the wood with water to prevent the cleaner from drying too quickly on the surface.
• Apply the Wood Wash to the wood with a floor brush, a paintbrush, or a roller. Scrub the surface so that the cleaner penetrates deeply into the wood pores. You can also apply it directly with a sprayer.
• Let the product act for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. If you use a pressure washer, be careful not to exceed 500 psi and to keep the nozzle 12 to 18 inches from your patio boards.

Once cleaning is complete, let the wood dry completely before applying the oil. This step is essential to allow the product to penetrate the wood properly.

B) Sand the ipe

Sanding is probably the step that will have the most impact on the final result. Well-sanded wood will absorb oil more uniformly, which promotes more durable protection and a more homogeneous appearance.

However, due to its density, ipe is not the easiest wood to sand.

• Use a more abrasive sandpaper, such as 60-grit. You can even use 40-grit if you want to speed up the work.
• Change sandpaper regularly, every 10 to 20 sq ft. If you don’t change your sandpaper, it wears out and loses its abrasive effect, which will result in uneven sanding.

The sander we recommend for sanding your ipe patio is an orbital sander. This way you can adjust your sander to the curves and cracks of the boards.

C) Apply oil to the ipe

Before applying the oil, make sure the surface has been thoroughly dusted. Otherwise, sanding dust will prevent the oil from penetrating properly.

It is also important that your ipe wood is completely dry, and that it has not rained in the last 24 hours.

• Apply the oil using a bristle brush. If you need to stain a patio, siding, or another large surface, equip yourself with a brush with a removable handle. This will allow you to attach the brush to the end of a broom handle or an extendable handle, and your knees will thank you!
• You must be careful to apply the oil in a very thin coat since ipe is very dense. Otherwise, the oil will not penetrate and the wood will remain sticky. Over time, this can lead to peeling. Spread the coat well using the brush.
• Stain 1 or 2 boards at a time. When you start a board, go all the way to the end. If you stop in the middle, you risk having overlap marks.
• Allow to dry for 24 to 48 hours to give the wood time to absorb the oil.
• You can apply a second coat for maximum resistance. However, some oil manufacturers recommend only one coat on dense and exotic woods like ipe.

The drawback of ipe’s hardness and durability…

Ipe’s greatest strength is also its weakness… Since the fibers of this wood are so dense, even penetrating oil will have a shortened lifespan.

If you want to keep the beautiful look of your new ipe wood, you must apply at least one coat per year, or even two: one in spring, and the other in autumn. This way, you ensure an impeccable look throughout the year.

Maintaining ipe wood

Whether your ipe is bare or covered with a finish, it’s in your best interest to do a good cleaning every year. This way you remove contaminants that accumulate on your wood and can accelerate its deterioration.

• Use Glouros cleaner to effectively remove all contaminants.
• With 120 or 150-grit sandpaper, lightly sand the surface. No need to remove everything: just open the surface pores of the wood.
• Apply a coat of oil. Let it penetrate for 5 minutes, then wipe off the excess product with a lambswool applicator or a clean cloth.
• Allow to dry completely before using your patio.

Ipe often comes from Amazonian forests, so it is a difficult wood to bring here, which affects its questionable ecological footprint. It is also a very durable wood that requires little maintenance. One more reason, if you own an ipe patio, to take good care of it!

Start your project now!

You will find all the products you need directly on our website.

1. Start by measuring the dimensions of your ipe wood patio to calculate the quantities you need.
2. Choose the natural oil color you like.
3. Place your order online and choose between in-store pickup and home delivery.

Want to learn about exterior oil and stain? Check out the section of our blog dedicated to this topic!