Finishing wood is an economical and trendy way of enhancing your home’s look. It makes a home both welcoming and comfortable. Adding a colorful stain to furniture can restore its sheen and bring out its natural beauty. The article tells us more on how to finish wood and more for a better-looking wood.
Why Finishing Wood?
Applying finish to furniture is critical when it comes to protecting a wood surface. In the absence of the finish, wood may crack, dry, and deteriorate if exposed to harsh climatic conditions. A good finish protects in that situation against swells, cracks, and even stains. Moreover, everyone should finish wood to enhance its overall appearance.
Methods of Applying Wood Finish
Wipe On
The method involves wiping on the finish like varnish, oils, water poly, or shellac with a soft towel. And wipe off the excess with a rag.
Brush On
Brushing is more complicated than wiping since it requires cleaning the surface first. Getting the wrong brush may leave marks on the wood surface. One needs to brush the poly uniformly for better results, where a quality brush is highly essential.
Spray-On
It’s possible to find paints and clear coats in spray form these days. Sprays on finishes are easier to use and get a good finish. Cleaning up is also easier compared to other finishes.
Applying the Finish: Easy Steps & Tips
- Surface Prep
Surface determines how good a finish will appear. For a better one, you need to sand the wood surface. It’s good to work through a range of abrasives and ease all the edges for better results. - Rubbing with oil
Once you finish sanding the wood, it’s time to brush off the dust with a damp rag. Damp the rag in linseed oil to make it smoother. Rub the oil on the wood and leave it for an hour to dry. If any excess, wipe it off. - Testing the wood finish
Once you settle on the coloring method, test it on scrap wood before putting it on your project. When ready to start finishing the wood, start by rubbing some oil on the surface with a soft rag. - Leave the finish to dry and rub it with steel wool
Leave the oil to absorb into the wood for like an hour before you wipe off the excess. After wiping off the excess, leave the finish to dry for 24 hours before rubbing the entire piece with steel wool. - Wax it
Once the oil is dry, apply a thin coat of wax on your wood. As you apply, make sure to cover the entire surface. - Buff (Polish) it
Please, leave the wax to dry until you notice a dull look. Buff it off the entire piece with a dry rag to make it shinier.
Types- Apply Any of These Finishes
Paint
One of the common finishes is the paint, and it covers and safeguards the wood from external conditions. Paint is not only used on wood as it goes well on various surfaces like metal. Apply a thin paint or semi-transparent to get a dramatic effect on wood.
Stain
Stain works well on natural wood. It makes the grain visible and highlighted while still adding color to the wood and making it protected.
Wax
If looking for an easy apply finish, you need to get the wax. You only need to rub it and buff it on sheen. Wax may work well on fine-grain wood after being sanded on a smooth surface. Wax may fail to give better results when applied on sanded wood surfaces.
Oils
Oil is the easiest way to finish a wood project since they are easier to apply and wipe off for a dull sheen. Such a finish is more accessible to re-coat for years.
Shellac
Even though it is an ancient finish rarely used today, it offers better results. Shellac is a resin that needs dissolving into alcohol before rubbing it on wood. However, it does not shield the wood from moisture but gives the wood an attractive look.
Varnish
Just like shellac, the varnish is also a lacquer and is usually wiped or sprayed on. However, it is durable than shellac and can withstand moisture. Varnish is generally used on wood boat finishing.
Lacquer
Unlike oils, this product dries to become a solid and durable finish that needs no re-coating. It dries faster than oils making its application a rapid one.
Polyurethane
The finish is a liquid plastic offering a sturdy finish once it dries off. It comes in different forms, e.g. gloss or matte finish, and you can apply it by wiping, spraying, or brushing. You may need a solvent to clean spray guns and brushes used on the application.
Polyacrylic
The product is water-based and dries quickly to a durable finish. You can clean it up with soap and water, and you can apply it by spraying or brushing.
Can You Apply Natural Finishes?
Yes, there are ways to protect the wood with a natural finish. Some cure right away, while others need some time to dry off. A few of those natural finishes are as under:
Tung oil
The natural ways to finish the wood and comes from the Tung tree. Tung oil coats the wood soaking it to dry upon exposure to air.
Linseed oil
Another natural finish to wood is Linseed oil that penetrates the wood to give it a better look.
Shellac
Shellac comes from Lac bug and offers a shiny, hard, and natural coating to a wood. You can tint the finish to any color.
What about Finishing Raw Wood?
Some people prefer raw wood, but sticking to raw means leaving the wood at Mother Nature’s mercy. Raw wood is prone to cracks and stains from careless spills. That’s why you need to finish raw wood to keep it safe. One can use a soft polishing brush and a wax paste to buff the wood, leaving it shiny.
Is it OK to Leave Wood Unfinished?
You can leave the wood unfinished, but make sure you do not use the wood for cooking or food-related purposes. Finishing a wood means keeping the wood dry and less prone to cracks. Finishing makes it resilient to drying oil and scratching. That’s why it’s advisable not to leave the wood unfinished.
Does Wood Finishing Mean Waterproofing?
Wood finishing does not always mean waterproofing. While some finishes leave the wood waterproof, others don’t. A well-kept finish over a wood may seal off the joints shed water, leaving the wood dry. However, cracked paint leaves room for water penetration, contributing to decay.
Concluding Remarks
There you have it. Having well-finished wood may take time but not challenging. With less effort and cash, you can leave your furniture and other pieces of timber looking as good as new. While there are various types of finishes, provided you use the product well, you are sure to get appealing results. Just make good use of the above info and be on the way to a shiny and durable wood finish.
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