Woodwork Finish

Before applying any king of wood finish the most important thing is that the wood be properly prepared with a good sanding job. Always make sure the wood has a good rough, medium and fine sand. This will make the final finish much more appealing. Selecting the type of finish should be equally important. You have the ability to choose from many finishes, including oil, lacquers, varnish, polyurethane, water based paints or just plain old Tung oil. Many workers prefer using oil stains because of easy application and correcting mistakes. You can also wet sand them between coats.

A disadvantage of oil is it is not as durable as many other finishes and not recommended for some wood, such as oak, which tends to be porous and absorbs much of the oil. This allows for a smooth even finish. Lacquers or varnishes are better suited for a glossy surface. One oil which you can use is Tung oil, which is a clear oil you can apply in fast drying coats. Although clear, with time the oil when dried will achieve a golden luster when exposed to frequent sunlight, or the furniture being placed in a sunny room. This works well with obtaining the French country look with light woods.

For the glassy look and for a very durable finish, polyurethane is probably best, especially on well traveled wood floors. Some people prefer various antique water or oil based paints to achieve a classical look. Many wood workers desire the final product to have a weathered appearance. The degree of weathering is your choice. The grayish look can be achieved with the use of oxalic acid, wire brushing and pressure washing. Whatever finish you choose, make sure the proper safety protocols recommended for that finish are followed.