As temps cool and leaves start to fall, it’s the perfect time to give your exterior wood a quick tune-up. A simple fall routine keeps color richer, water beading longer, and surfaces looking great and well protected through winter and into spring. Whether your project is finished with Rubio Monocoat Hybrid Wood Protector or Rubio Monocoat DuroGrit, use this checklist to inspect, clean, and—if needed—refresh with a light maintenance coat.
Clear Debris
Organic debris traps moisture and feeds mildew. Sweep or blow off decks, stairs, railings, furniture, and cladding. Check where leaves collect—under planters and along edges and gaps between decking boards.
Pro tip: Keep planters on feet so water can drain and surfaces can dry.
Inspect High-Wear & High-Exposure Areas
Look closely at:
- Horizontal surfaces: deck boards, stair treads, handrails, table tops.
- South/west exposures or very high elevations: stronger UV typically means faster color fade.
- Drip lines & hardware: under roof edges and around fasteners for stains.
What to note:
- Color fade/dry look vs. rich, even tone
- Water behavior: does water bead or soak in quickly?
- Mechanical wear: scuffs from chairs, pet traffic, or grit
- Loose fasteners: tighten to prevent movement and checking
Do a Quick Water Test
Sprinkle a small area with clean water.
- Beads up? Likely fine—clean with Exterior Soap and re-test in spring.
- Darkens/absorbs quickly? Schedule a light maintenance coat after cleaning and drying.
Decide if a Maintenance Coat Is Needed
At this point, you should have a good idea if your surface is in good shape or could use a little refreshing. Hybrid Wood Protector typically requires maintenance every year or two, while DuroGrit only requires maintenance after several years. Harsh climates, heavy use, horizontal surfaces, and light colors might reduce time between maintenance.
Clean the Surface Properly
Based on the assessed condition of your surface, there are 2 paths to take:
A) Routine Wash (no recoat planned)
Use Rubio Monocoat Exterior Soap for periodic cleaning to remove dirt, pollen, and light buildup while adding a gentle boost to protective properties of the finish.
- Wet the surface with a spray of water, scrub to loosen and dissolve dirt and debris, rinse off with clean water and allow to dry.
- Dilute Exterior Soap per TDS.
- Apply the diluted Exterior Soap in a thin application using a brush, or a pad applicator.
- Let dry fully before use.
Resource: Exterior Soap in the Help Center
B) Prep/Deep Clean (before a maintenance coat)
When you plan to refresh the finish, clean with Rubio Monocoat Exterior Wood Cleaner to remove contaminants that can interfere with bonding and color uniformity.
- Pre-wet surface.
- Apply Exterior Wood Cleaner per TDS; allow proper dwell.
- Agitate with a soft brush; do not gouge the grain.
- Rinse thoroughly (low pressure).
- Allow to dry completely before any sanding or recoating.
Resource: Exterior Wood Cleaner in the Help Center
Stains & issues:
- Mildew/algae: Address during cleaning; repeat application to stubborn areas as directed by the Exterior Wood Cleaner TDS.
- Rust/tannin stains: Use Tannin Remover as needed.
- Grayed/weathered patches: After deep clean and dry, a light refresh coat often restores tone; significant graying may need additional prep.
Avoid: Harsh household bleach mixes or aggressive pressure washing. They can raise grain, cause blotching, or damage the wood and finish.
Apply a Light Maintenance Coat (When Needed)
Always follow the latest Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for your specific product and color.
For Hybrid Wood Protector
- Prep: If you followed above steps, your prep work should be done!
- Mask: Required areas using painters tape.
- Apply: Work as directed by the TDS.
- Cure: Keep dry and respect the recommended weather window.
Resource: Hybrid Wood Protector in the Help Center
For DuroGrit
- Prep: If you followed above steps, your prep work should be done!
- Mask: Required areas using painters tape.
- Apply: Brush or spray as directed in TDS; maintain a wet edge to avoid lap marks.
- Cure: Keep dry and respect the recommended weather window.
Resource: DuroGrit in the Help Center
Use your original product—either Hybrid Wood Protector or DuroGrit—in the project’s color. Note date for your records.
Mind the Weather Window
- Aim for moderate temps; avoid hot direct sun and impending rain.
- Respect minimum application temperatures and dry times listed in the TDS.
Protect for Winter
- Add/replace felt pads to chair/table feet and use doormats to reduce grit.
- Shovel snow with plastic-edge tools; don’t chip ice with metal blades.
- Keep debris cleared so surfaces dry quickly after storms.
FAQs
Which cleaner should I use when?
Exterior Soap: Periodic treatments when you’re not recoating—gentle maintenance that nourishes and preserves the finish.
Exterior Wood Cleaner: Before a maintenance coat or when deeper cleaning is needed to remove buildup and improve adhesion.
Can I pressure wash?
Use caution. If you choose to, keep pressure low with a wide fan tip and maintain distance—think rinse, not strip.
How often should I recoat?
Base it on exposure, color, and traffic. Horizontal sunny areas and very light colors typically need attention most often. Many homeowners refresh decks annually, rails/furniture every 1–2 years, and cladding every 2–3 years.
Printable Checklist
Tip: Print this section or save it as a note on your phone.
☐ Clear leaves/debris and move planters
☐ Inspect color, wear, fasteners, and edges
☐ Water test (bead vs. absorb)
☐ Routine wash: Exterior Soap → rinse → dry
☐ If recoating: Exterior Wood Cleaner → rinse → dry
☐ Apply thin maintenance coat (Hybrid Wood Protector or DuroGrit) per TDS
☐ Note date & conditions for your records
