Applying Finishes... Little Somethings For Home Part 3

In our earlier chapter of Little Somethings For Home, we discussed about the finishes and their different types. Today our article will be on applying finishes. None of the wood finishes are difficult to apply but it helps if you work in a relatively dust free environment and use clean brushes or applicators.

Preparing wood for finishing

No surface finishes, especially clear varnishes, lacquers and polishes will disguise a poorly prepared surface. Holes, dents and cracks should be filled and the wood sanded smooth. It is essential that you work in good light, preferably daylight. Some finishes exude quite unpleasant fumes so ventilate your workplace and wear a respirator.

Cellulose filler

Before applying an opaque finish, use ordinary decorator's cellulose filler to prepare the surface. Mix the powdered filler with water to a smooth ceramy paste and apply it to the surface with a flexible filling knife. Let the filler dry, then sand with medium grade garnet paper.

Stopper

For transparent varnish lacquer, use a filler paste known as stopper. It is made ina variety of woodlike colors. Press stopper into cracks and dents with flexible knife and allow the filler to set hard before you sand it flush.

Wax sticks 

Hard carnauba wax sticks are ideal for filling minor blemishes before you apply wax polish, but seal the wood first with French polish. Use a warm blade to melt the tip of the stick, then press the soft wax into cracks and holes. Once it hardens, scrape wax flush then burnish it with the smooth back of abrasive paper.

Oiling timber

Some people prefer to apply oil with a soft cloth, rubbing it into the grain but with large flat surfaces it is slightly faster than ti paint it on.

Coating a surface with oil

Decant some oil into a shallow dish or paint kettle and paint it libarally onto the wood. Avoid splashing oil onto adjacent surfaces when you are finishing built in storage, and don't allow oil to collect in pools. Leave the finish to soak into the wood for a few minutes, then wipe over the surface with a clean rag to absorb excess oil and spread it evenly. Paint on a second coat six hours later and leave it to dry overnight. Apply one more coat then buff with a soft cloth.

Using wax polish

Before applying wax polish, seal the surface with one coat of varnish or French polish. This not only prevents the wax being absorbed too deeply into the wood, it also protects the wood from dirt that could sink through thr soft varnish. Lightly sand the sealer coat with fine silicon carbide paper.

Polishing the wood

Paint on a generous coat of liquid wax, then about one hour later buff the surface with a soft rag. Apply a second thinner coat, this time with a cloth pad, rubbing in the direction of the grain. Buff the surface as before and add a third coat. Leave the final coat to the harden for several hours, then burnish the wax vigorously witha soft duster.

Alternatively, apply a paste polish with a small ball of 0000- grade wire wool, then buff the surface with a duster.

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