Wood care guide

Wood is a living material. Understanding its reactions and how to maintain it.

Have you noticed cracks, colour changes or stains on your wooden furniture or playground equipment ? Don't worry !

Wood is a natural, living material. It reacts to its environment (humidity, temperature, sunlight). Its appearance changes without affecting its strength or quality. Here's how to distinguish between what is normal and what requires maintenance.

Natural phenomena (these are not defects !)

Here are the most common reactions of wood to the elements :

Cracks and splits

• The phenomenon : Wood breathes.
• In dry weather, it shrinks (splits appear).
• In humid weather, it swells (the splits close).
• Verdict : This is completely normal and does not weaken the structure.

Important : Do not try to fill these cracks with wood filler! This would prevent the wood from moving and could cause it to split during the next humid period.



Resin

• The phenomenon : On autoclave-treated wood, natural resin can sometimes rise to the surface.
• The solution : This has no impact. Simply scrape it off gently with a blunt tool (spatula) to avoid scratching the furniture.

Green spots (salt rising)

• The phenomenon : Do you see small green spots? It's not mould! This is often the result of autoclave treatment (impregnation): treatment salts rise to the surface.
• The solution : Light sanding will remove these marks, leaving the wood looking like new.

Black/brown stains (surface mould)

• The phenomenon : Small brownish stains may appear on the surface.
• The solution : These are microscopic surface fungi. Simply brush the affected area vigorously to remove them.

Diameter variations (logs)

• The phenomenon : As with cracks, wood swells or shrinks, which can change the diameter of the logs and create a slight gap in the metal fasteners.
• Instructions : Do not fill this gap! The wood needs this margin to work without breaking.

Grey discolouration

• The phenomenon : Under the effect of UV rays and rain, all wood eventually takes on a silvery-grey hue. This is a natural aesthetic ageing process.
• The solution : If you do not like this colour, using a brightener once a year will restore the original colour.

Care guide : 3 steps for perfect wood

To keep your furniture in top condition, we recommend a thorough cleaning twice a year (in spring and at the end of summer).

Step 1 : Cleaning
Before any treatment, the wood must be clean. Use warm water with black soap or Marseille soap. Scrub with a brush (do not use a high-pressure cleaner as this will damage the grain). Rinse thoroughly and leave to dry.

Step 2 : Renovation (degreying)
If the wood is grey or rough: Sand lightly with fine-grain sandpaper to smooth the surface. Apply a degreyer (often oxalic acid-based) to revive the original colour. You can also use a saturator to nourish the wood deeply.

Step 3 : Protection (oiling) :

• To protect the wood from stains and weathering, apply a protective oil (linseed, teak, etc.) with a brush, working in the direction of the wood grain.
• Ideal conditions : The wood must be completely dry. Do not do this in direct sunlight (too hot) and make sure it will not rain within 48 hours of application. Once the first coat is dry, feel free to apply a second coat for optimal protection.