Hot tub maintenance
Everything about hot tub maintenance! Everything you need to know about wood treatment and preparing the wood for optimal results and maximum protection.
In this article3 parts
A long lifespan thanks to good hot tub maintenance
Proper maintenance of your hot tub ensures you'll enjoy it for years to come and prevents the wood from being damaged by algae, bacteria or mould. A wood treatment also protects the wood against weather influences such as rain, sun and temperature fluctuations. To keep your hot tub in optimal condition, we recommend treating the wood 1 to 2 times a year with a suitable maintenance product. This keeps the wood looking beautiful, strong and well protected.
Wood treatment: preparation
A good wood treatment always starts with a clean, dry surface. First, thoroughly clean the wood with a special cleaning product for outdoor wood; this removes dirt, algae and old residue without damaging the wood. Then let the wood dry completely.
Choose a dry day when no rain is expected. Treat the wood at mild temperatures between 10 and 25°C, and preferably do this when it's not very windy, so that no dust or dirt gets into the wet layer.
Step 1: Sanding
Sanding is an important step because it opens up the wood pores, allowing stain or oil to penetrate better into the wood. It also removes greying, dirt and any old layers, which prevents adhesion problems. The result is a smoother, tighter finish that looks more beautiful. If you skip the sanding, the protective layer usually adheres less well and wears off faster. So it's better not to skip this step for the best result!
Always sand along the grain of the wood, and start with a coarser grit (e.g. grit 80) on new or heavily weathered wood to smooth out unevenness. Afterwards, you can optionally use finer sandpaper (grit 180–240) for a smoother result, making the surface extra even. This makes it easier to apply an even and durable protection.
Step 2: Treating the wood
Preferably choose a good-quality brush, so that no loose brush hairs remain on the wood. Make sure you spread the product thinly and evenly, and remove excess product from the brush first for a neat, even finish.
Difference between oil and stain
Oil penetrates deep into the wood but does not form a sealing protective layer. It mainly protects against drying out and keeps the wood supple and natural, with a warm, authentic look. Because oil offers less protection against UV, rain and dirt, you usually need to reapply it about twice a year. Stain works differently: it forms a protective layer on the wood, making it more resistant to sunlight and weather influences, and usually only needs to be applied once a year.
Curious how to keep the water in your hot tub in top condition? Then read our blog about water maintenance and discover handy tips for clean and clear water💧
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