Why is the end grain of the Ipe boards sealed with wax? What is end sealing? Do I need to seal my boards after I cut them?
This is standard practice for the majority of hardwood decking products. To minimize end checking, the ends of the lumber are mill waxed prior to shipping. (These tiny cracks are natural and occur in all wood species upon moisture loss.)
During installation, you should wax the ends of the boards within 24 hours after cutting – best if wax is applied immediately after cutting. This can be done using a rag or foam brush that has been lightly dipped into the wax and then dabbed on the freshly cut board. DO NOT WAX the surface of the Ipe deck planks as this will cause staining. If wax is accidentally placed on the plank’s surface, it can be scrapped off with a putty knife and then lightly sanded. Remember: wax is not required on the straight grain of a board if it has been ripped – only wax the cross-cut ends of a ripped board.
You can purchase an end grain wax sealer from your local home improvement store or you can purchase Anchorseal Wax Emulsion End Sealer directly from the manufacturer's online store (www.uccoatings.com). A one quart can of wax end sealer will cover approximately 1,000 square feet of cut board ends.
