Woodwork Finish

Finishing your woodwork can be one of the biggest decisions you make. After all the hard work of building your piece of art, it is often a daunting task to decide what type of finish to use to preserve it. Making sure your woodwork project has been sanded properly is another important step in woodwork finishing. Selecting the proper grit and type of sandpaper will make the piece smooth and ready for the final finish. Sanding by hand is recommended instead of using power sanders.

There are many finish products to choose from. There are waxes, oils, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers, and water based finishes. Each one of these finishes has its good points and some have their bad points. You should take into consideration what the woodwork is going to used for when deciding on the right type of protection. If it's a coffee table, the best finish would be one that is water and scratch resistant. Lacquer and most water-based finishes are best in this situation.

If your woodwork is a piece that will be placed in the kitchen where it will be exposed to hot pans, teapots, or other heated items, the best finish would be a flame resistant finish, such as oil-based varnish, linseed oil, tung oil, and oil-based polyurethane. Outdoor woodworking projects require a finish that will withstand the elements. Using a weather resistant wood such as teak or cypress is the first step for the outdoor projects. An oil-based spar urethane is a good choice for outdoor use and it also contains additives that reflect UV rays from the sun so the finish won't be damaged.

If you are planning a woodworking project and want to know what type of finish to use, go online to find many available options.