Bristle brushes may be cleaned with turpentine. Foam brushes may be placed in plastic and placed in the freezer between applications.

Application instructions for wood that has not yet been stained – please click here to find instructions for applying this product to already stained wood:

1. Fill nail holes with Fix Wood Patch. Do not use plastic wood.
2. Sand specific areas with 120 sandpaper to clear blemishes.
3. After taking care of holes and blemishes, sand the entire piece uniformly with 180-grade sandpaper.
4. Remove dust with a vacuum and tack cloth.
5. Stir the Zip-Guard thoroughly before beginning and occasionally during application to ensure a uniform color.
6. Apply the product with a quality fine-bristle brush or foam applicator:
   • During application, keep the brush sufficiently wet and do not flex the brush.
   • Zip-Guard is a self-leveling product, so resist the temptation to go back over areas to touch up spots, as this will cause a layering of the product. The missed areas will be properly covered after a second coat has been applied.
7. Wait approximately six to eight hours for the piece to dry completely.
8. The first coat will be rough and must be hand-sanded with either 600-grade sandpaper or a 3M sanding pad.
9. Remove dust with a vacuum and tack cloth immediately prior to applying the second coat.
10. Apply the second coat in the same manner as the first.
11. Allow the second coat to dry for six to eight hours.
12. Sand the piece with either 600-grade sandpaper or a 3M sanding pad.
13. If necessary, remove dust with a vacuum and tack cloth immediately prior to applying the third coat.
14. Apply the third coat in the same manner as the first two.
15. Allow the piece to dry 24 hours before use.

Application instructions for already stained wood – please click here to obtain instructions for wood that has not yet been stained:

1. Make sure that the previously applied stain has been allowed to dry for 12 hours before applying Zip-Guard.
2. Remove dust with a vacuum and tack cloth.
3. Stir the Zip-Guard thoroughly before beginning and occasionally during application to ensure a uniform color.
4. Apply the product with a quality fine-bristle brush or foam applicator:
   • During application, keep the brush sufficiently wet and do not flex the brush.
   • Zip-Guard is a self-leveling product, so resist the temptation to go back over areas to touch up spots, as this will cause a layering of the product. The missed areas will be properly covered after a second coat has been applied.
5. Wait approximately six to eight hours for the piece to dry completely.
6. The first coat will be rough and must be hand-sanded with either 600-grade sandpaper or a 3M sanding pad.
7. Remove dust with a vacuum and tack cloth immediately prior to applying the second coat.
8. Apply the second coat in the same manner as the first.
9. Allow the second coat to dry for six to eight hours.
10. Sand the piece with either 600-grade sandpaper or a 3M sanding pad.
11. If necessary, remove dust with a vacuum and tack cloth immediately prior to applying the third coat.
12. Apply the third coat in the same manner as the first two.
13. Allow the piece to dry 24 hours before use.