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Wood Finishes

Lifeline Advance Exterior Finish

Clear Coat for Wood

Lifeline Advance extends the life of the finish system while adding depth and highlights to your log or timber home. It makes your exterior walls easier to keep clean and has the right permeability to keep the film breathable while repelling water.

Perma-Chink’s clear wood finish adds a protective layer over existing finishes without changing their appearance. Instead of replacing color, it reinforces it.

This top coat is the second component of our exterior wall finish system. A limited warranty is included when you use it as an add-on to our Lifeline Ultra-7 and Lifeline Ultra-2 wood finishes.

Lifeline Advance Options
Gloss
Satin

Lifeline Advance Available Sizes

Top coats are not always applied the same way as base finishes. Coverage depends on the amount of surface area that requires protection and the frequency of future maintenance. Free samples are available for all finishes.

Our clear coat for wood comes in smaller 1-gallon containers for touch-ups and 5-gallon pails for full exterior applications. Testing coverage on a small section helps determine how much product your surface will require.

Product Information

The clear wood stain finish forms a transparent layer that helps preserve the performance of underlying finishes. Extend the life of existing wood coatings without altering color.

Features

  • Mold and mildew protection
  • Non-yellowing
  • Low VOCs
  • Supports longer maintenance intervals
  • Helps reduce UV-related fading
  • Breathable finish allows moisture release

Application Temperature

40° to 90°F

Application Methods

  • Airless sprayer
  • Brush
  • Back-brushing required

Surface Preparation

  • Clean and dry
  • Free of mold and mildew
  • Never use steel wool

Special Instructions

  • Stir container every 15 minutes
  • Avoid applying in direct sun

Shelf Life

3 Years

Frequency

  • 1 coat over Lifeline Exterior, Ultra-2, or Ultra-7 stains
  • 1 coat 24-36 months later, then only as required

Drying Time

  • Dry to the touch in 2-4 hours
  • Cures in 72 hours

Coverage Rate

  • 600-800 square feet / gallon on smooth surfaces
  • 500-700 square feet / gallon on rough surfaces

How to Store 

Performance tends to decline when a premium clear coat for wood is left out to endure extreme conditions. Consistent temperature and sealed containers help preserve predictable coat spreading and curing during application. 

Keep containers in a stable environment to help maintain consistent performance between uses. 

Tips for Proper Application

Begin with a fully cured base stain and a clean, dry surface. A top coat needs to bond properly for best results. To start, use a brush or sprayer to produce a uniform application. 

Apply thin layers and maintain consistency. Then, follow up with back-brushing. This process helps distribute the product evenly and reduce visible overlap. 

Maintenance 

A clear coat for wood wears gradually rather than all at once. Watch for dullness or fading. It signals when a light reapplication may be necessary. Additional coats extend the life of the underlying finish. 

Consider implementing a schedule for consistent upkeep. It will help to preserve both appearance and performance over time.

Application Videos & Tips

About Lifeline Advance Topcoat
How To Apply A Lifeline Log Home Finish

Frequently Asked Questions

Lifeline FAQ

Do Lifeline finishes need a clear topcoat?

Yes. For all Lifeline exterior finishes we recommend Advance topcoat in either satin or gloss finish. Lifeline interior finishes we recommend Acrylic or Sure Shine.

Do your finishes offer UV protection?

Yes. Ultra-7 and Ultra-2 finishes have UV Boost premixed. UV Boost is available to add to other Lifeline finishes.

Do I need to stain first before chinking?

It depends on the project. We recommend applying finish first, then chink. Read our article here for more info.

We’ve used the Perma-Chink Lifeline Exterior on a large rough cut cedar siding home. It has looked so beautiful and lasted so long that other contractors have asked what we used because they haven’t found anything that performs as well. We have also used the interior products with the same wonderful results.

–Jane

I have a cabin in Washington State where I used your Lifeline Exterior finish on. The Stain is very easy to use and still looks like I just put it on yesterday, and it’s been on my home for over 7 years. Thanks for making such a durable & long lasting finish.

–Kurt

Was looking for a spot to share my results of your product and wanted to express my satisfaction!! 100% Satisfied Customer!! Thank you Perma-Chink for bringing my Cabin back to life.

–Anjannette

Absolutely love Perma-chink products. We are doing our entire interior with Perma-chink Lifeline, Acrylic, and Sure Shine products and results are outstanding.

–Dave

A coat of Prelude Sealer made my uneven pine logs look balanced and consistent. It also made the Ultra 7 much easier to apply. I’m very happy with these products.

–Susan

Thanks to Perma-Chink for showing me that moisture comes into the logs on the end. So I used their Log End Seal to prevent moisture from seeping into my logs. It works great.

–Karl
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