# Preparation – Wood products

> Clean, whiten, even out: wood ready to receive the treatment.

URL: https://legno.covemavernici.com/en/prodotti/preparazione

The wood cycle · Stage 1 of 4

## Preparation

Clean, whiten, even out: wood ready to receive the treatment.

### Why preparation matters

Every treatment lasts only as long as the surface it is applied to. Wood that is dirty, greyed or carrying residues of old finishes does not let stains and varnishes work as they should: the result is less visible and lasts less.

Preparing means cleaning, bringing the wood back to its colour and making it even. It is the step you notice least once the job is finished, and it is the one that makes the difference over the years.

**Read more ↓**

### Products for this stage

Base

Where you use it

**Same job, two bases.** For this stage you'll find water-based and solvent-based products: the formulation changes, not the job they do. Choose the base you're most comfortable with.

3 products

[water base Whitening treatment Lightens greyed or stained wood and restores its natural colour. Exteriors Product sheet →](https://legno.covemavernici.com/en/prodotti/linea-acqua/trattamento-sbiancante-64641)
[water base Evening base coat Evens out the tone of the wood before treatment. Exteriors Interiors Product sheet →](https://legno.covemavernici.com/en/prodotti/linea-acqua/fondotinta-uniformante-64642)
[solvent base Nitro pore filler Base coat for indoor furniture, doors and window frames. Interiors Product sheet →](https://legno.covemavernici.com/en/prodotti/linea-solvente/turapori-nitro-62630)

### At work

How it's applied, in the hands of those who do it every day.

### Mistakes to avoid

#### Treating damp or dirty wood

Dust, grease and moisture prevent the product from adhering and penetrating.

#### Leaving old finishes that are flaking

The new coat follows the old one: if that comes away, the new one comes away too.

#### Forgetting to dust

After sanding, dust stays in the pores and spoils the evenness.

### Learn more from the Workshop

[Workshop · 4 min How to prepare wood before painting: the primer that speeds up work on site](https://legno.covemavernici.com/en/bottega/come-preparare-il-legno-prima-di-verniciare-il-fondo-che-accelera-i-tempi-in-cantiere)
[Workshop · 4 min Greyed or stained wood: how to restore its natural colour without sanding](https://legno.covemavernici.com/en/bottega/legno-ingrigito-o-macchiato-come-restituirgli-colore-naturale-senza-carteggiare)
[Workshop · 4 min Varnishing wood: the complete guide for absolute beginners](https://legno.covemavernici.com/en/bottega/verniciare-il-legno-la-guida-completa-per-chi-parte-da-zero)

### Have a question?

Write to our technicians: we'll help you choose the right product and cycle for your wood.

[Technical support →](https://legno.covemavernici.com/en/contatti)[Write to us on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/393357105630)