WOCA Softwood Lye is used for lye priming of unfinished or freshly sanded interior softwood surfaces, including wooden floors, stairs, furniture, and panels. This wood lye helps prevent the wood surface from yellowing while preserving its light color and enhancing the natural grain.
Softwood Lye produces a whitewash finish on softwood and is designed only for softwood species such as pine, spruce, and Douglas fir. When used on larch wood, WOCA Softwood Lye creates an antique gray or brownish finish. It cannot be used on hardwood.
The final color will first be achieved after 1 to 3 months, or up to 90 days. Results vary based on the wood surface, sanding, application method, and the wood's natural characteristics.
Best for:
- Unfinished or freshly sanded interior softwood
- Pine, spruce, and Douglas fir
- Wooden floors, stairs, furniture, and panels
- Projects where you want to minimize yellowing
- Creating a light whitewash effect while keeping the natural grain visible
Key benefits:
- Helps prevent yellowing of softwood surfaces
- Preserves the light, natural color of the wood
- Enhances visible wood grain and character
- Creates a subtle whitewash effect with white pigments
- Suitable for pine, spruce, and other softwood species
- Designed to be finished with oil or soap for lasting protection
After applying Softwood Lye, the wood surface must be finished with oil or soap. For wood floors that need durability and long-term protection, good finishing options include WOCA Diamond Oil Active or WOCA Master Color Oil.
For customers comparing lye options, WOCA Wood Lye is also available and can be used on softwoods like pine, but it has a milder effect than WOCA Softwood Lye.
SHIPPING NOTICE: WOCA Softwood Lye can only ship within the contiguous United States. It is not available to ship to Alaska or Hawaii.
IMPORTANT:
The presence of Sodium Hydroxide in Antique, Driftwood, and Softwood Lye has classified this product as hazardous and requires special shipping and handling by the Department of Transportation.
A Hazmat Shipping Fee of $100.00 per box is required, regardless of bottle size. The fee applies to both the 2.5-liter bottle and the 3.5-ounce sample tester.
FedEx Ground Hazmat Shipping is the only shipping option available for the 2.5-liter and tester sizes. Overnight and 2-day shipping are not available for this product.
- 1 to 4 bottles of the 2.5-liter size = 1 box
- 1 to 6 bottles of the 3.5-ounce sample tester size = 1 box
- A signature is required for delivery
WOCA Softwood Lye is packaged in Post-Consumer Recycled plastic bottles. Same great product, greater sustainability.
COLOR TESTING NOTE:
Because every wood surface is different and screen settings can affect how color appears, the final color on your wood may not match the color swatches exactly. We recommend ordering a Softwood Lye tester and applying it to a piece of your own wood before starting the full project.
Note: The use of Softwood Lye may initially cause a greenish color. This will disappear over time and fade to gray.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to add an oil finish or topcoat to my floors after applying the lye?
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. This final oil step is essential because lye creates the color effect, while the oil helps protect the wood surface.
Do I need to neutralize the lye?
For oils, reactive lyes, like Antique Lye and Driftwood Lye, should be neutralized with Intensive Wood Cleaner prior to oiling. For water-based finishes, all lyes should be neutralized with Intensive Wood Cleaner prior to finishing.
Should I apply more than 1 coat of lye?
One coat is sufficient when applied according to the recommended coverage rate.
Why does the lye look uneven and splotchy after finishing with oil?
Floors that are treated with lye can appear uneven and splotchy if not enough of the pigment from the lye is polished off. To remedy this, polish the surface again with a red pad to get the lye pigment to move around and into the grain.
Can I mix or layer lyes?
We do not recommend mixing different lyes, but you can layer them. Refer to the WOCA Color Guide for layering ideas.
Can I use Wood Lye on Pine or should I use Softwood Lye?
WOCA Wood Lye can be used on Softwoods like pine, but it has a milder effect than WOCA Softwood Lye. For pine, spruce, and Douglas fir projects where the goal is to remove excess pigments, minimize yellowing, and create a stronger whitewash effect, WOCA Softwood Lye is usually the better fit.