Supplying Namibia’s Woodworkers

Varnish forms a film on top of the timber; Namibian UV embrittles that film while the dry air shrinks the wood beneath it, so it cracks, peels and has to be sanded off entirely — often within two seasons. Woodoc’s penetrating sealers soak into the timber, feeding and sealing from within: they weather by gradual erosion rather than catastrophic peeling, and maintenance is a clean and recoat, no stripping. Over a decade, the penetrating system is less product, less labour and better-looking timber — which is why Namibian joineries standardised on it.

A north-facing door takes the worst UV in the building, so treat it as an exterior extreme-exposure job: Plus Life Primer on dense hardwood to open penetration, then three generous coats of Woodoc 30 — or 50 for the harshest exposure — sanding lightly between coats. Colour first with gel stain if required, then seal over it. Expect a maintenance coat every 18–24 months inland; the door tells you when water stops beading. Do the top and bottom edges too: doors drink moisture through end grain, and that is where swelling starts.

Ponal (Pritt Ponal wood glue, 100 ml to 5 L) is the production PVA for interior joints, edgebanding and general assembly — extra strong and fast setting. Move to WD 279 water-resistant wood adhesive for exterior joinery, outdoor furniture and anything that meets moisture cycling. Contact adhesive is for laminate-to-board and veneer work where clamping is impossible — coat both faces, flash off, and get the position right the first time. Using PVA where contact belongs (or vice versa) is the most common joint failure we see at the counter.

Almost always restore, and price it with confidence. The system: Woodoc Wood Reviver scrubbed on to chemically brighten the greyed surface, thorough rinse, full drying (fast in our climate), light sand where fibres have lifted, then Deck Sealer or Water-Borne Deck in the client’s colour — three coats. The transformation sells itself, and the timber underneath Namibian grey is usually sound because dry rot needs moisture we don’t have inland. Build an annual maintenance-coat contract into the quote; that is the honest way to keep it looking new.