Applying a wood finish is an important part to protect the wood’s surface from damage. Wood finishing prevents it from swelling, and cracking, protects against stains, and enhances the appearance of the wood.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the best ways to finish wood so that it looks its best. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced person, these tips will help you create beautiful finished pieces that will last for years. So let’s get started!
Types Of Finish
There are three common ways to finish the wood and each has many options available in the market on what to use.
Paint
The easiest and most common way for the wood finish is to paint it. This will protect the wood from water damage, fading, and other wear and tear. You can use any type of paint that you like, but we recommend using water-based paint so that it is easier to clean up. Use paint thinner for a light wood finish.
Instructions
- Prime the wood with a primer specifically designed for woodworking. This will help the paint stick to the surface of the wood and will also help to prevent staining.
- Paint the wood with a coat of paint. We recommend using high-quality paint that is designed for outdoor use, such as enamel or acrylic paint.
- Apply a sealant over the paint. A sealant will help to protect the paint from fading and chipping, and will also help to waterproof the wood. We recommend using a sealant that is designed for outdoor use, such as a urethane or spar varnish.
Stains
Another popular way of wood finishing is wood stain. This will give the wood a natural look that can be enhanced with different colors of stains. It is important to note that you should always test the stain samples on a small area of the wood before applying them to the entire piece.
Instructions
- Prime the wood with a primer specifically designed for woodworking. This will help the stain stick to the surface of the wood and will also help to prevent staining.
- Stain the wood with a coat of stain. We recommend using a high-quality stain that is designed for outdoor use, such as a gel stain. Don’t excess stain the finished wood.
- Apply a sealant over the stain. A sealant will help to protect the paint from fading and chipping, and will also help to waterproof the wood. We recommend using a sealant that is designed for outdoor use, such as a urethane or spar varnish.
Clear Coat
If you want to show off the natural beauty of the wood, then you can finish it with a clear coat. This will protect the wood from damage and wear, but it will not change the color of the wood. You can use any type of clear coat, but we recommend using polyurethane so that it is more durable.
Instructions
- Prime the wood with a primer specifically designed for woodworking. This will help the clear coat stick to the surface of the wood and will also help to prevent staining.
- Clear coat the wood with a coat of clear coat. We recommend using a high-quality clear coat that is designed for outdoor use, such as polyurethane.
- Apply a sealant over the clear coat. A sealant will help to protect the paint from fading and chipping, and will also help to waterproof the wood. We recommend using a sealant that is designed for outdoor use, by wiping varnish such as a urethane or spar varnish to get a natural-looking wood finish.
Methods To Use
After choosing what type of finish we want, the next step is to choose which method to use to apply the type of finish. The methods are
Wipe Finish
A wipe finish is a way to apply a finish to wood by wiping it on with a cloth. This is a popular method because it is easy to use and it does not require any special skills or equipment. Plus, it is a great way to get a smooth, even finish.
Steps For Wipe Finish
For the best wipe finish follow the below steps
- Pour some of the finish into a small container and stir it well so that it is evenly mixed.
- Dip the dry cloth into the container of finish and wipe it all over the wood, making sure to apply it in the same direction as the wood grain.
- After the finish has dried, use a soft cloth to buff it until it is shiny and smooth.
Spray Finish
A spray finish is a way to apply a finish to wood by spraying it on with a spray bottle. This is a popular method because it is easy to use and it does not require any special skills or equipment. Plus, it is a great way to get a smooth, even finish.
Steps For Spray Finish
Spray finish basic steps are
- Pour some of the finish into a small container and stir it well so that it is evenly mixed.
- Spray the finish over the entire surface of the wood, making sure to apply it in the same direction as the wood grain.
- After the finish has dried, apply a final coat if needed. Use a soft cloth to buff it until it is shiny and smooth.
Brush Finish
A brushed finish is a way to apply a finish to wood by brushing it on with a brush. This is a popular method because it is easy to use and it does not require any special skills or equipment. Plus, it is a great way to get a smooth, even finish. You can also paint the finish onto your wood using a natural bristle brush.
Steps For Brush Finish
There are 3 basic steps for brush finish
- Pour some of the finish into a small container and stir it well so that it is evenly mixed.
- Dip the brush into the container of finish and brush it all over the wood, making sure to apply it in the same direction as the wood grain.
- After the finish has dried, use a soft cloth to buff it until it is shiny and smooth.
Durable Finish
The durability of a finish depends upon resistance to water, chemicals, solvents, heat, and scratches. Wood is a material, capable of soaking in anything that gets on it, such as oils, dirt, and chemicals so it’s important to choose what is more durable for the finish.
There are a few things you can do to make the wood more durable.
- The first thing you can do is to seal the wood with a sealant or a clear coat. This will protect the wood from water damage and other types of damage.
- The second thing you can do is to use a protective finish. This will protect the wood from wear and tear.
- The third thing you can do is choose hardwood instead of softwood. Hardwoods are more durable than softwoods.
Things To Avoid
When applying finish be sure to follow these steps
Stay Away From the Edge
If you are applying finish to the edge of the wood, be sure to stay away from the edge. The finish will not adhere to the wood and it will peel off.
Avoid Bad Lighting
Make sure you have good lighting when applying the finish. You don’t want to apply the finish in a dimly lit room because you might not be able to see what you are doing and you might end up with a streaky finish.
Be Gentle
When applying the finish, be sure to be gentle. You don’t want to apply too much pressure because you might end up with a streaky finish.
Avoid Back And Forth Brushing
When applying the finish, be sure to apply brush strokes in one direction only. If you brush back and forth, you will end up with a streaky finish. On flat surfaces, brush side to side, and front to back.
Tips For Finishing Wood
- Before finishing the wood remove any dust particles with a tack cloth.
- Use sealant like urethane which offers the best option for adding protection to all interior wood stain and finish combinations.
- Lightly sand the wood surface for a staining finish.
- Use a good quality brush as it will carry more stain and will help in applying the finish quickly.
- Use a wood conditioner for uneven stains.
- When applying double or multiple coats, wait for the first coat to dry.
Looking For A Wood Finisher!
Wood finishes protect the wood, make it more durable and enhance its beauty. There are several types of finishes that can be used, but it is important to select the right one for the project. In order to get the most out of your finish, it is important to use the correct method and avoid common mistakes. For more information on how to finish wood, contact Estate Painting today!
