Finishing
Alot of Industrial timber students painfully seem to think that the finishing process is all about applying the right coat of oil, lacquer or polish. This does help the end product; however appreciating the quality of a
fine timber product can only come when finishing to the utmost level.
When it comes to finishing there are a few key things to remember. Never rush the finishing process. Before any application of lacquer, before any coat of oil or before any varnish is applied to a product, remember to have the timber to the best quality of surface preparation you can achieve. Surface preparation includes the planing, scraping and finally sanding of the product.
Skipping the steps of surface preparation can be disastrous to the end product and many students regret not taking their time on these simple steps due to the marks and indentations showing up much worse after coating the timber with a finishing product.
fine timber product can only come when finishing to the utmost level.
When it comes to finishing there are a few key things to remember. Never rush the finishing process. Before any application of lacquer, before any coat of oil or before any varnish is applied to a product, remember to have the timber to the best quality of surface preparation you can achieve. Surface preparation includes the planing, scraping and finally sanding of the product.
Skipping the steps of surface preparation can be disastrous to the end product and many students regret not taking their time on these simple steps due to the marks and indentations showing up much worse after coating the timber with a finishing product.
Application
Dependent on the surface finish you are using the application of the finish will vary significantly. Use thorough research before attempting any finish on any project. One technique my Technology teacher showed me to ALWAYS use is to make a sample board out of cut-offs from the project. With this sample piece it is possible to test different stains and finishes to see how the project will appear when complete. It is also used to test any finishing technique deviations before applying them to the project.
It is a great idea to follow the instructions on the bottle or tin of the finish to the exact detail. Those instructions come from years of testing and applications.
Remember to never apply coats in direct sunlight, stormy cold weather, outdoors on a windy day or too quickly in between coats.
It is a great idea to follow the instructions on the bottle or tin of the finish to the exact detail. Those instructions come from years of testing and applications.
Remember to never apply coats in direct sunlight, stormy cold weather, outdoors on a windy day or too quickly in between coats.
Recommendations
If looking for some commonly used products or a different product that you haven't used before research before you try.
Some common recommendations throughout the industry and teachers of woodwork would be the following:
Oils:
Some common recommendations throughout the industry and teachers of woodwork would be the following:
Oils:
- Tung Oil: Brings out and intensifies natural colour within the timber
- Bees Wax: Protects the timber from future insect degradation
- French Polish: Protects the timber to a small standard but gives a stunning high gloss finish
- When you want to enhance colours for traditional kinds of furniture
- When you want to make a cheap piece of timber look like a more exotic species, when there is a budget or acquiring issue.
Shows the wide range of colours stains can provide on top of a pale pine species. These stains provide a natural looking finish.