See more ideas about woodworking, woodworking tips and woodworking projects. General finishes products are a favorite of mine and i have used them for years for furniture finishing. It was sometime in the late 1970s when bob flexner opened his furniture making and restoration shop. We use understanding wood finishing as the textbook for our students training to go into the furniture industry, says david miles, wood technology professor at pittsburg state university. When wood gets wet, the grain will raise, open, or puff up in the area where the water touched the wood. Wash down with water or a soapy washingup liquid solution, applied from a cloth, not directly on. Film finishes cover the wood with a clear varnish coating and offer superior protection. Wood finishing basics how to prepare wood for staining minwax. But there are ways to make the outcome a lot more predictable and therefore less frustrating. For wood finishing, you should use only boiled linseed oil. The classic finish for furniture and other wood surfaces now in convenient aerosol form.
Thats not to say that even experienced finishers dont run into problems from time to time. Wood finishing refers to the process of refining or protecting a wooden surface, especially in the production of furniture where typically it represents between 5 and 30% of manufacturing costs. Tung oil is derived from the nuts of trees that are native to asia but have been cultivated in other parts of the world. Wood or furniture stored under cover develops problems much faster than wood or furniture stored in a controlled environment such as inside your house. Wood materials used in cabinets and furniture are products of nature and include numerous color hues, grain patterns and other natural characteristics.
Finishing countrywood furniture country wood furniture. Do it wrong, and youll never want to finish wood again. When it came to wood finishing, however, that was a different story. On bare wood, lightly sand the surface with 150grit sandpaper to remove nicks, scratches, and to open up the pores of the wood grain. Wood finishing is one of the biggest bugaboos for many woodworkers. This would be accomplished by rubbing solid block wax onto the surface, then burnishing with a bundle of dried grasses, whether horsetail reeds, straw, or other grain stalks. This method permits independent control over each stepthe depth of color and the level of protectionand is used to obtain rich, professionallooking finishes on small and large projects. Furniture, cabinets, doors, hardwood floors, trim and molding. Historically, the most straightforward method of wax finishing was to simply prepare the surface as usual, then deposit solid wax directly onto the surface of the wood. Teri masaschis life goal was not to become a finishing expert. Most amish furniture finishing shops use conversion varnish to topcoat the wood after its stained. Also, see the star finishing products pages below for more information.
Natural finishes are clear finishes that are used to add. Below are different types of finishes for wood furniture and their finishing techniques. Shrinkage values given in table 161 were obtained from. Tung oil is available in a pure, unrefined form and in a heattreated or polymerized form. Finishing wood refers to the final step in any woodworking project. Now handscraping is making a comeback as a design element in contemporary wood floors.
Decoration in addition to stabilizing wood and protecting it from dirt and grime, finishing wood is decorative. Surface coating finishes will add depth and warmth to the appearance of the woodwork, while enhancing the color and grain. Amateur woodworkers can achieve professionalquality finishes on their projects. How to stain and finish wood furniture this old house. To spray a horizontal panel, such as a table top, spray the edges first then work. The term finish, when used with reference to furniture or similar wood products, refers to the film forming coatings applied. Nov 10, 2016 when building things from wood, that last step is applying some sort of a finish to help protect and preserve the wood, and in many cases to enhance the look. Aug 24, 2019 wood finishing, finishing tips, finishing tricks, and information about applying an excellent finish to wood.
Made with a special blend of oils and resins that allows it to flex as the wood surface expands and contracts. Just like any other artisan, he felt immense satisfaction and a deep sense of pride and accomplishment in crafting and restoring furniture. Mechanical sanding eliminated hand scraping for all but the most special floors after world war i. Anyone can make a nasty seat nice in just a couple of hours. Thats why you need to download this free guide to finishing wood. Pdf bob flexner understanding wood finishing how to. Many woodworkers lavish attention on their woodworking tools but give little thought to. All finishing starts with the sanding, and i think that many of us sand more than necessary. Apr 10, 2019 finishing wood refers to the final step in any woodworking project. What are different types and techniques of wood finishes. Wood finish is an oilbased wood stain that can be used to enhance any bare or stripped wood surface by providing a longlasting wood tone color. Five furniture finishing tips popular woodworking magazine. A finish slows moisture exchange no matter what temperature or humidity conditions surround the wood.
Wood finishing techniques woodworkers guild of america. The best environment for storing wood or wooden objects is an environment of constant temperature and humidity. Guide to clear wood finishes wood finishing 101 minwax. This is the complete wood finishing techniques freebie from our expert, bob flexner.
Examples of surface coatings are varnish, shellac and lacquer. More specifically, finishing means applying one of many kinds of protective coating, usually clear, generically called finish. The traditional wood finishing system consists of applying a wood stain and clear protective finish in individual steps. Founded in 1888 by a germanborn chemist, the firm was first to manufacture finishing products used by european master craftsmen for the american woodworker. Finally, the truth about wood finishes wagner meters. As a manufacturer of wood components, woodcraft industries believes there is a crucial need to educate our company, customers, and consumers in regard to naturally occurring wood characteristics. Penetrating oil finishes allow you to feel the wood but offer almost no protection. Similarly, i have always been a fan of shellac and zinssers seal coat shellac is a relatively new product on the. Wood finishes paint, varnish, and stain, for example give. The first edition of understanding wood finishing has sold hundreds of thousands of copies and is widely regarded as the bible of wood finishing.
Because these stains depend on soaking into the wood to obtain the best results, sanding too fine should be avoided. Behlens extensive knowledge of furniture making and finishing has been behind the. The specific gravity of wood is important because denser woods generally shrink and swell more than less dense woods. Well guide you to the right finish for your projectpolyurethane, lacquer, shellac, and moreand show you how to get pictureperfect, repeatable results. Whether youre restoring an old piece of furniture, or building a brand new one, youre going to want to bring it to life with stain and finish. Wood finishing doesnt have to be complicated or mysterious. Furniture finishes come in two categories, penetrating and film. Bob flexner understanding wood finishing how to select and apply the right finish. The final finishing of carpentry projects and cabinet making is critical to the good results of any woodworking project, and yet, if done improperly, it can also be the kiss of death for an otherwise wellmade piece of furniture, a refinished wood floor, or handmade wooden artwork. Recently, i had a project that involved making repetitive precise cuts at identical angles and. A finish makes the wood, or the object made of wood, last longer figure. Recoat the finish when it turns dull, typically once a year. Stearated for easy sanding and extra surface build. You need to consider what finishing facilities and equipment are available.
At age 14, she was focused on earning money to enroll in a private school that combined academics and the arts including woodworking. Surface coatings natural finishes pigmented finishes penetrating finish wax polish. Best finishing techniques taunton press, 2011 is an invaluable reference that offers foolproof techniques to guarantee a perfect finish every time. Though they remain undaunted by complex joinery or intricate and precise machining, scores of woodworkers still cringe at the thought of applying a finish to their work. Wood finishing done right so your projects are easy on the eyes and fingers. Heres how to do a first class diy chair upholstery job. Every piece of furniture, whether new or antique, needs a finish, but no single finish is right for all situations. Fix tables, sticking drawers and chairs with these furniture repair howtos. Do it right, and it will be just as fun and rewarding as the first steps. Although at least 10 varieties and more than a dozen brands of finish are available, all can be divided into two categories. Surface coatings are clear, builtup, highly durable finishes that are virtually maintenancefree. Oct 26, 2018 finishing wood floors has remained, in general, the same process since, but with increasingly industrialized tools and materials.
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