Q&A: Jimmy Englezos, Senior Project Manager for Woodcare

In this blog, our Senior Project Manager for Woodcare Jimmy Englezos answers the top questions tradespeople ask about the Ronseal Trade range of exterior and interior products.  

As Senior Product Manager for Woodcare, Jimmy is responsible for ensuring that all of the products in the Ronseal Trade range perform as intended and deliver the high quality, professional results tradespeople require. As part of this, he works closely with the Ronseal Trade research and development team to inform product updates and new innovations and provide professionals with a selection of reliable products for use across all jobs.

What makes the Ronseal Trade range of products suitable for professional use?

At Ronseal Trade, we are dedicated to providing professionals with a selection of the woodcare solutions that they regularly require and can trust to deliver results quickly and to a professional standard. That is why the Ronseal Trade range of products has been cleverly developed to include the most popular exterior and interior woodcare products used by the trade – in a range of colours their customers demand.

The Ronseal Trade range of products benefit from the best formulations that we have ever produced, which means that the woodcare applied will last and protect timber for a long time. Even better still, our Trade range has been independently tested and BBA Approved – demonstrating that every product really does what it says on the tin.

Why was it so important for the Ronseal Trade range to be BBA approved?

We know that tradespeople need to be able to trust their tools, which is why we have chosen to put our product range through the British Board of Agrément’s (BBA) testing process. The BBA is the UK’s leading certification body for construction products and its testing process makes sure that any product claims made by manufacturers are accurate, and that products can deliver the benefits and results promised.

When they see the BBA logo and reference on our tins, professionals can be confident that the product will deliver top results and meet their own high standards.

What are the benefits of using water-based products?

We have formulated our interior and exterior water-based woodcare products so that they deliver tough protection against knocks and scuffs, without the long drying times. Our water-based woodcare products are quick drying, which means users spend less time on site and can fit in more jobs across the week.

Water-based products also withstand increases in temperature and will flex with the wood as it expands, preventing issues such as peeling and cracking. They are also safer as they emit lower VOCs (organic chemicals that evaporate from the woodcare and enter into the surrounding air and can cause reactions such as eye, nose and throat irritation).

What are your top tips for exterior woodcare and why?

Firstly, preparation is key. To ensure the best results, it is important that the wood is correctly prepped before any Ronseal Trade product is applied – if it is not, it can be detrimental to the overall finish.

It is also important to make sure that Ronseal Trade woodcare products are applied in optimum conditions. This applies to both the weather and the conditions of the wood. For example, if it is a particularly warm day, the product being applied might dry too quickly. Alternatively, if conditions are too wet and the timber is not able to dry out properly, moisture might become trapped and lead to issues such as decay.

What are your top tips for interior woodcare and why?

Always make sure that the correct safety equipment is used and the necessary safety precautions are taken. This includes keeping indoor areas well ventilated and wearing the correct PPE - even when using water-based products that emit lower VOCs in comparison to solvent-based alternatives.

I also recommend making sure that work is planned out thoroughly. Interior work can be disruptive, so it is important to make sure that product is applied at optimal times to allow it to dry properly without risk of being walked on or furniture placed on top.

Finally, prep, prep, prep. As with exterior projects, interior timber also needs to be properly prepared to ensure that the finish put on will last.

To find out more about the Ronseal Trade range of products click here.