Is it ok to use Polyurethane on Acacia Wood?

Acacia trees grow in Africa, Asia, Australia, and other tropical regions. It is an attractive and unique type of wood that can make a beautiful addition to your home.

In most cases, Acacia wood is used in outdoor furniture because of its natural ability to withstand any weather condition and bug attack.

Acacia belongs to the hardwood category, which is very useful for beams, building construction, platforms, flooring, and high-end furniture.

While the wood lasts for more than two decades, one can increase the longevity using some oil.   An average Acacia wood or furniture can last for about 20-30 years.

However, the life span of the furniture could be drastically reduced if it’s not protected.

Is it ok to use Polyurethane on Acacia Wood?

Acacia has wonderful features, it also has a few weaknesses you should be aware of when it comes to protecting this wood.

Because this is treated lumber that one might assume is already pre-treated, it may be assumed that no further protection is required.

Further protective measures are necessary due to the natural characteristics of the wood and some possible situations in which it could be used.

Acacia wood is a durable hardwood commonly used for flooring and furniture. Since the wood is dense, it can be difficult to stain.

However, because of this density, acacia wood is also very resistant to wear and tear. It doesn’t take much to protect acacia wood.

At this point you could wonder if it is ok to use polyurethane products to protect your pretty acacia furniture. Well, the answer is yes, it is possible!

It can be quite hard trying to figure out how to protect Acacia wood: that’s why we’ve put together some answers for you in this step by step guide.

How to Protect Acacia wood : Step by Step Guide

1. Clean the Wood

Cleaning the surface of your acacia wood will remove any contaminants that may interfere with the protective finish.

Use a clean cloth or sponge with a small amount of liquid detergent and warm water to clean the surface of your acacia wood furniture or flooring.

Rinse thoroughly with plain water after cleaning, and allow the surface to dry completely before applying any protective finish.

2. Apply Polyurethane

Polyurethane is produced by reacting an isocyanate with a polyol. Since a polyurethane contains two types of monomers, which polymerize one after the other, they are classed as alternating copolymers.

Polyurethane is a synthetic resin whose isocyanates and polyols contain two or more functional groups per molecule.

Polyurethane dries clear on acacia wood surfaces and protects them from damage caused by moisture and common household chemicals.

Acacia wood should be sealed as soon as possible after installation because it’s an open-grain hardwood that absorbs water quickly.

Three coats of polyurethane can help prevent warping and cracking in your acacia wood structure or furniture. You can use both a brush and a foam for coating.

3. Preserve the finish

Acacia wood is easy to maintain by simply wiping off any spills or dust with a clean, dry cloth. For tougher stains, use a soft cloth.

4. Protection from Sunlight

Sunlight can really affect the color of your acacia wood over time. To avoid this from happening, try placing your furniture away from windows where direct sunlight can shine through.

If you’re not able to move your furniture around, consider putting up blinds or shades to minimize sun exposure.

Read Also: Can You Paint Over Stained Wood

5. Oil Your Wood First

If using an oil-based sealer like tung or linseed oil (which are food-safe), apply it liberally with a brush then let dry overnight.

You may need multiple coats depending on how porous your wood is and what type of finish you’re looking for (a high gloss vs matte look).

6. Paint Your Wood

Once the oil has dried completely (usually about 24 hours), paint on top of it with latex paint using long strokes in one direction only so as not to leave any streaks behind.

Allow this layer to dry before applying more coats if needed. Apply another coat after 24 hours if necessary until your desired color has been achieved then let dry.

7. Apply Wax

Wax is one of the most popular forms of protection for acacia wood. Waxing provides a protective barrier between the elements and your acacia furniture or flooring.

In addition to protecting your acacia, wax also adds shine. Choose a non-yellowing wax that will not change the color of your wood.

Specialty products are available for waxing floors made from acacia wood, but regular wax works just as well on furniture.

8. Sealant Finish

Clear sealants are a popular method for protecting acacia wood flooring and furniture. The sealant fills in small cracks/pores in the wood that could otherwise trap dirt and moisture.

Applying a sealant finish is much like applying latex paint; use a paint brush or roller to apply the sealant evenly.

Read: Disadvantages of Acacia Wood

9. Waterproofing Acacia Wood

Apply a waterproofing agent designed for outdoor use before treating acacia with oil or polish. Water repellents help preserve the wood’s natural beauty and prevent water damage.

10. Clean Spills Immediately

Acacia wood can be sensitive to water damage, so it’s important to clean up any water-based spills as soon as they occur.

Wipe away liquids with a dry cloth, or blow them up with a paper towel or sponge. Never rub spills into the wood; instead, blot them until they’re gone.

11. Protect the Wood from Water Damage

Water can cause significant damage to acacia wood over time. Water causes the wood to swell up and become warped, which ruins its appearance and also makes it weaker structurally.

This can be prevented by storing acacia furniture indoors when not in use and protecting it with a waterproof finish if it must be stored outdoors.

12. Apply an outdoor Varnish

This is the most common method for protecting outdoor Acacia wood. You can apply outdoor varnish with a brush, but it is much easier to spray it on.

It will take about 4 hours for the varnish to dry before you can apply another coat to the Acacia wood. It will help in Protecting Acacia wood

Final Words

When it comes to protecting Acacia Wood, there are a few things you can do to make sure your wood won’t suffer from outdoor/indoor conditions.

The most important thing is to treat the wood with a good high-quality lacquer or polyurethane. This helps protect Acacia against water and prevents any fading from sunlight.

If you want your piece to keep its color and last for many years then you should seal it every month or so with a good lacquer product.

Further protective measures are necessary due to the natural characteristics of the wood and some possible situations in which it could be used.

Acacia wood is a durable hardwood commonly used for flooring and furniture. Since the wood is dense, it can be difficult to stain

However, because of this density, acacia wood is also very resistant to wear and tear. It doesn’t take much to protect acacia wood.

At this point you could wonder if it is ok to use polyurethane products to protect your pretty acacia furnitures. Well, the answer is yes, it is possible!

It can be quite hard trying to figure out how to protect Acacia wood: that’s why we’ve put together some answers for you in this step by step guide.