Lye Faqs

Lye is an optional pretreatment to alter the base color of the wood, accelerate patina, and create custom looks. WOCA has three types of Lyes for different wood types and accomplish different effects.

Yes. Wood Lye is not a finish. Lye-treated wood remains unfinished and must be sealed with an oil finish such as Diamond Oil Active or Master Color Oil for protection and durability.

No. WOCA Wood Lye is not a bleach or paint. It is a pretreatment that minimizes yellowing and reduces red or pink tones before oil finishing.

Yes, but the lye must be denibbed with a green pad and neutralized with Intensive Wood Cleaner prior to applying polyurethane. Intensive Wood Cleaner must be used to neutralize the lye otherwise it will corrode a water based finish.

Wood Lye Grey has gray pigment in it, and Wood Lye White has white pigment in it. The pigment in the lye can be seen in the wood grain, depending on the topcoat.

Wood Lye can be used on Softwoods like Pine; it has a milder effect than WOCA Softwood Lye.

Wood Lye by itself is not the finished look; it’s part of a process. It’s important to order tester samples of Wood Lye and WOCA Oil(s) to decide the final color and look.

WOCA Wood Lye can take away the red tones, but it depends on many factors, such as your specific Red Oak. We highly recommend ordering a tester of Wood Lye and WOCA Oil to sample on your own wood.

Most customers topcoat with WOCA Master Color Oil or Diamond Oil Active in White or Extra White for that signature Scandinavian look.

One coat is sufficient when applied according to the recommended coverage rate.

Wood Lye can be used on any wood species, but desired results vary.

Wood Lye is not a finish, it’s a pretreatment. Lye treated wood is still unfinished wood. To protect your lye treated wood, apply either WOCA Master Color Oil or WOCA Diamond Oil Active.

No, you do not need to use Wood Lye or any other Lye treatments. Wood Lye is an optional pretreatment that can be used.

We do not recommend mixing different lyes, but you can layer them. Refer to the WOCA Color Guide for layering ideas.

One coat is sufficient when applied according to the recommended coverage rate.

Denibbing is the process of polishing a dried lye surface with a green polishing pad to remove lye pigment from the surface and reveal the wood.

No, you should not T-Bar Lye. We recommend applying lye with a WOCA Applicator Pad, paint roller or brush. A T-Bar does not allow for the best workability and risks showing start and stop marks.

For Oils, reactive lyes, like Antique and Driftwood Lye should be neutralized with Intensive Wood Cleaner prior to oiling.

For Waterbased Finish, all lyes should be be neutralized with Intensive Wood Cleaner prior to finishing.

Antique Lye and Driftwood Lye are reactive lyes, which means they only react with the tannin in wood. Heartwood contains tannin, sapwood does not. The lye cannot react with the sapwood.

Antique Lye and Softwood Lye can sometimes cause temporary green hue on the wood surface. This is a result of a chemical reaction that occurs between the lye and the wood fibers. The green color will eventually fade away on its own, usually within 90 days.

If the wood turns green, it is still safe to apply a WOCA Oil finish to it. The oil will not interfere with the lye reaction process.