Owatrol H4 Wood and Stone Colourless Waterproofing

Owatrol H4 Wood & Stone is a colourless, high-performance protector designed to shield wood and mineral surfaces without altering their natural appearance. It’s ideal for anyone who wants wood to weather and turn grey naturally while staying protected from the elements.

Its hydrophobic formula repels water, helping to prevent common issues such as cracking, splitting, and surface deterioration. At the same time, it remains breathable, allowing moisture to escape and keeping surfaces in good condition for longer.

Suitable for wood, stone, concrete, plaster, limestone, and more, it can also be added to water-based paints or stains (10–20%) to enhance water repellency and durability.

• Colourless finish keeps natural appearance unchanged
• Water-repellent protection prevents cracking, splitting, and deterioration
• Breathable formula allows moisture to escape, extending surface lifespan
• Protects against mould, moss, dirt, and environmental damage
• Silicone-free and safe for multiple surfaces
• Enhances water resistance of water-based paints and stains
• Ideal for wood, stone, concrete, plaster, limestone, and marble

Natural look. Reliable protection.

Proper surface preparation is essential for optimal performance of H4 Wood & Stone. Follow these steps to ensure your wood or stone is ready for treatment.

General Directions

• Surfaces must be clean, dry, and free of dirt, grease, grime, mildew, and previous coatings.
• Treat mildew with a 50/50 bleach/water solution. Scrub onto the surface, let stand 10-15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
• After cleaning or stripping, allow wood to dry 2-3 full drying days or until moisture content is ≤18% before applying finish.
• H4 Wood & Stone can only be applied to bare wood or weathered surfaces previously finished with H4 Wood & Stone.
• Surfaces previously finished with Owatrol penetrating products (e.g., Textrol, Aquadecks) may not require stripping. Contact Owatrol for advice if unsure.
• All other finishes must be completely removed. Sand if necessary (80 grit or coarser depending on wood species) and remove dust thoroughly.

New Wood

• Test absorbency by sprinkling water; if absorbed quickly, surface is ready.
• If water does not absorb: treat with Aquanett or Prepdeck, neutralise with Net-Trol, or abrade manually/mechanically with coarse sandpaper.
• Remove all loose wood particles and dust before applying finish.

Weathered Wood (Untreated)

• Keep grey look clean: use Soapclean.
• Restore colour: clean with undiluted Net-Trol to remove loose fibres, dirt, and contaminants.

Previously Treated Wood

All previous finishes must be thoroughly removed:

• Oils & sealers: strip with Aquanett or Prepdeck, neutralise with Net-Trol.
• Solvent-based finishes (oil or alkyd): strip with Dilunett, neutralise with Net-Trol.
• Acrylic/water-based finishes: strip with Prepdeck, neutralise with Net-Trol.
• Other finishes (2-pack epoxies, urethanes): strip with DSP800, neutralise with appropriate solvent (acetone, white spirits, methylated spirits).

Note: Hardwoods and tannin-rich woods (Cedar, Douglas Fir, Teak, Ipe, Iroko) may darken during stripping. Neutralising immediately with Net-Trol will lighten and restore the colour.

Stone Surfaces

• New stone: clean with Soapclean, allow 24 hours to dry.
• Heavily soiled stone: clean with undiluted Net-Trol, allow 24 hours to dry.

Once prepared, surfaces are ready for application of H4 Wood & Stone.

Proper application ensures long-lasting protection and optimal performance. H4 Wood & Stone can be applied using a brush, roller, garden sprayer, or spray gun.

Surface & Environmental Conditions

• Cover anything you do not wish to coat, including plants and shrubs.
• Apply at temperatures between 10°C (50°F) and 30°C (86°F) with relative humidity <70%.
• Do not apply in direct sunlight or on hot surfaces (surfaces can reach 60°C / 140°F even at 30°C air temperature).
• Do not apply if cold or wet weather is expected within 24 hours.
• Ensure wood moisture content is ≤18%.

Application Technique

• Always work the full length of a board or wood piece; avoid stopping mid-surface.
• After spraying, back-brush or back-roll to improve penetration and achieve uniform coverage.
• Use H4 Wood & Stone as is do not thin.
• Apply a generous coat over the entire surface.

Drying & Coverage Check

• Allow treated surfaces to dry for 24 hours.
• Conduct a water drop test: sprinkle water on the surface. If water beads, the surface is fully protected.
• If water does not bead, apply another generous coat to ensure complete protection.

Follow these steps to maintain the natural look of your wood or stone while providing long-lasting, invisible protection.

Storage Instructions

• Store in the original container and close the lid tightly after use.
• Keep away from freezing temperatures and extreme heat.

Maintenance Schedule

• Vertical surfaces: every 12 months
• Horizontal surfaces: every 6 months
• Exotic hardwoods (Ipe, Teak, Iroko, etc.): vertical surfaces every 6 months, horizontal surfaces every 3 months

Maintenance Procedure

• Before maintenance, perform the water drop test. If water is absorbed, maintenance is required.
• Clean the surface with Soapclean and allow it to dry completely.
• Apply Owatrol H4 Wood & Stone as per application instructions.
• The wood will continue to age and grey naturally while remaining protected.

Regular maintenance ensures long-lasting protection and preserves the natural look of your wood and stone surfaces.

Delivery - All orders placed on a working day before 3pm will be dispatched on the same day for next working day delivery. Orders placed before 3pm on Friday will be delivered on Monday (excluding bank holidays). Orders placed after 3pm on Friday, weekends and Bank Holidays will be dispatched on the next working day. 

Delivery of Tinted Products - Tinted paints are dispatched in line with our express order process, shown below. However, due to their bespoke nature, please allow up to an additional 5 working days to accommodate any potential courier delays or delivery issues before receiving a refund or replacement.

We strongly suggest customers avoid booking tradespeople until they receive their order. Next Day Paint will not be held liable for any costs incurred due to order processing errors, delivery delays, or other issues that may result in financial loss.

Delivery Options

Express Shipping - £3.99

Order by: 3pm, Monday - Sunday

Expected delivery: Next working day, 8am - 9pm

AM Delivery - £12.99

Order by: 4pm, Monday - Sunday

Expected delivery: Next working day by 4pm

Late Cut-Off - £5.99

Order between: 3-4pm, Monday - Friday 

Expected delivery: Next working day, 8am - 9pm

Extended Late Cut-Off - £7.99

Order between: 4-5pm, Monday - Thursday

Expected delivery: Next working day, 8am - 9pm

Saturday Delivery - £9.95

Order by: 4pm, Friday 

Expected delivery: Saturday, 8am - 9pm

Standard Delivery (Out of Zone Postcodes Only) - £8.99

Order by: 3pm, Monday - Sunday 

Expected delivery:  3-5  working days, 8am - 9pm

Note: Orders placed on weekends or bank holidays will be dispatched on the next working day for delivery on the following day

We do not deliver to the Channel Islands or the Republic of Ireland

Certain postcodes delivery times and charges may vary please head to the cart to see your available delivery options.

Returns

We offer a 14 day money back guarantee for all goods shipped correctly that are not required. If the item is not required, please send the item back for a full refund in its original condition, unused with its original packaging. Please note return for unwanted item is at your own expense.

Contact us as soon as possible to inform us you will be returning the product either by a contact form or by calling our team on 0161 960 0217.

All tinted paint purchases are final and non-refundable. If you're unsure about your selection, please refer to the product listing or contact us for guidance before ordering. Once mixed, tinted paints cannot be returned or refunded, regardless of delivery delays or changes in circumstances.

While we aim to meet delivery timelines, we are not responsible for delays caused by couriers, weather, or other external factors.

We recommend ordering samples or colour charts before purchasing. While we strive to represent colours accurately, screen settings and surface types can affect appearance. Opened tins cannot be returned due to dissatisfaction with colour.

For non-tinted products, we offer a 14-day money-back guarantee. Items must be returned unused, in original condition and packaging, at your own expense.

Damaged Paint

Please visit our damages page, where we can help resolve the issue for you. 

Incorrect Item

If we have sent you a different item from what you ordered, we will be happy to organise an exchange for the correct goods at no extra charge to yourself, please get in touch to organise this.

Faulty Items

Faulty items can be refunded or exchanged within 30 days. All returns are tested, and if no fault is found, no refund will be issued you'll have the option to have the item returned. For faults discovered after 30 days, please contact the manufacturer for further support.