In woodworking, taking the final step, which is the wood finishing, is necessary. By reading this article, you will know the types of wood finishes you can use for your woodworking projects.
But first of all, before knowing the seven different types of finishes, you need first to know what it is and the importance of wood finishes.
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The Importance of Wood Finish
Wood Finish can make and transform your wood products to smooth and silky wood and preparing them for the final touch.
By making it more look better, you can use different types of wood finishes. You need to pick one which is your preference.
As is, it will protect your wood from damages and enhancing its wood feature. Moreover, it can make the wood to become a long-lasting product.
You can also use wood finish according to its decorative style, color, or even wood type.
Two Kinds of Wood Finishing
How to know what kind of wood finishing you will be using is? Well, here’s your guide.
- Penetrating Finishing
If you want your furniture to have protection not just on the outside but also on the inside, you can apply this kind of wood finishing.
Penetrating finishes can make your wood product more bold, durable, not depending on its appearance and style.
Penetrating Finishes is also better for doing wood products that need a layer of coating.
- Surface Finishing
If you want to have a natural look in your products, you can apply a surface finishing. Surface finishing can usually work for a surface of the wood appearance. It is only for the wood appearance, and it doesn’t matter about its durability on the inside.
It is merely for the surface of the wood application or outside of the product.
Seven Different Types of Wood Finishes
There are different types of wood finishes to use, and others are popular in a way it is useful for most wood furnitures and is highly recommended to use.
Let’s talk from the distinctive wood finishes down to polishing products.
- Varnish
The most typical type of wood finish you can use is Varnish, and it’s first on the list. The varnish is a type of wood finish that can be good to use multiple times. It can give an opaque and transparent look, as it can maintain the durability of the wood.
The varnish is also useful in unpainted wooden products. It can give an appealing and natural look to your wood furniture. You can also use this for the inside coating; perhaps it is a penetrating finish.
While learning about varnish, there are also types of Varnish you can use.
Different Types of Varnish for Woodworking
It does not just know the importance of varnish, but you also need to see the substance and type of varnish you can use for woodworking.
- Acrylic Varnish
- Exterior Varnish
- Spirit Varnish
- Polyurethane Varnish
- Oil Varnish
Steps on How to Use Varnish
Here are steps on how to use varnish for perfect coating and unique wood result.
- Before proceeding to an application, make sure you have the wood products prepared. Varnish can’t hide wood pores, dust, and stains, ensuring it is clean before applying it.
- Shake well before using and read the direction given.
- Apply the first coat. Most woodworkers have their first coat before adding the second and final coat.
- After you see that it’s dry, apply the second coat thoroughly.
- Lastly, have your final coat. You can use the clear varnish to enhance the wood look and its radiant beauty and make it more durable.
- Wax
Woodworkers find it useful for the wax to apply it after using varnish. Hence it can improve the appearance and add a coating to the wood. It is also the same as a varnish strategy on applying it.
Wax can maintain the wood’s color for a long time, as it can also be used for painted and non painted woods. It can be best even for the wood’s protection.
More often, woodworkers who want to restore old furniture and other antique wood furniture would like to use this kind of wood finish.
Wax is a kind of wood finish that can create wood appearance style and color.
- Wood Dye
Consider using wood dye on your wood finishing to have a colorful and transparent look result. Wax can also mix with other solvents, as well as can also be useful on resembling wood style.
Dying your cloth and your wooden products have a similar process. I take this as an example. You can have it on a liquid, or even substantial, powder and mix to water.
You can use wood dye to show off your wood feature and appearance. Simply, it’s also the best type for you. Wax is also suitable for layers of coat, as it will soak directly.
You can have this also on water-based finishes.
- Wood Stain
This type of wood finish is likely the same as a Wood dye. It can also enhance and change the natural wood color. Well, most workers use wood stain to have a decorative result texture of the wood.
Wood products will more likely become more durable if you use wood stains with a more coating level. DIY wood staining is also applicable to your wooden product.
Well, this type of wood finishes is succeeding to varnish or other finishes solvent. It entirely can be best for opaque coating for better wood stain results.
You can use the following wood staining techniques. You can use either oil-based wood stain or water-based wood stain.
- Oil-based Wood Stain
Oil-based wood stain is one of the most popular wood stains you can use for wood finishing. You can also use the following oil-based wood stain products.
In most cases, woodworkers apply oil finishers to ensure the semi transparent look to the wood.
- Gel Stain
It is also one of the oil-based finishes. Gel stain based finishes are suitable for real quick time finishing. There is no need for you to sand your product.
Gel Stain is also comparable to painting and is a thick solvent kind of oil. That is, it is also for creative application and style. Apply 3-4 coats of gel stain to have a better result.
- Water-based Wood Stain
A water-based wood finish is fantastic as this will provide a high quality that can enhance the wood product.
This wood stain is difficult to apply as this is easy to dry up. It is also perfect for rush wood results.
Ensure that you have a coworker to do these water-based finishes on wood staining to make sure it is useful.
- Lacquer Finish
A lacquer finish is known to be a sharp and intense finish. Professional workers find it productive to use lacquer as it is easy to use and only consumes a little time.
As lacquer is a thin solvent, it quickly absorbs and has only a couple of minutes to see the result. It is also less expensive than other wood finishes, but you need to use it in a well-ventilated area as it has a harsh odor.
For precaution, lacquer is flammable and is dangerous if you inhale it. You can wear your mask for protection.
- Oil Finishers
There are types of standard oil finishers you can use. See below!
- Tung Oil
This kind of oil finisher is a plant-based oil. It is known to be the most popular and oldest oil finishers you can use.
Tung Oil comes from the tung tree and is best for quick drying and exact results.
- Linseed Oil
Linseed Oil is one of the most common wood finishes and likely to be called flaxseed oil. Like most of the other palm oil finishes, to preserve against cracks and temperature changes, linseed oil saturates directly into the natural wood.
It is excellent to use linseed oil as this is an environmentally friendly product that is also suitable for everyone.
- Walnut Oil
This kind of oil finisher is useful for kitchen utensils. No more, no less. One of the well-known oils used for finishes.
- Mineral Oil
Mineral Oil is the same as Walnut oil that is best for kitchen utensils. It is a kind of odorless oil, non-toxic, and safe to use.
Most woodworkers do not use this kind of oil for more oversized furniture, but they use it for smaller wood products.
- Danish Oil
Danish oil finishes are a combination of either tung or linseed oil with some form of stain.
Use it for a more transparent result. Test it now!
- Wood Preserver
A wood preserver is also a type of wood-based finishes that can help your wood products last longer. It can also help prevent wood conditions over time.
This wood finish is suitable for wood paint and varnish. As this part of the wood finishes, it helps the products’ life span.
Remember to use this wood finish product to have prevention against insects. There is also a wood preserver for outdoor and indoor, in which it is constructive. Don’t miss using this wood finish.
As this is the last type of wood finish you can use, well, here’s additional info about the preserver.
Different Types of Wood Preservative Pesticide
- Water-borne preservative
It is ideal for plywood, lumber, poles, timbers, and fence post.
- Oil-borne preservative
It has a dark color and is insoluble in water.
- Fumigants
Use to prevent future problems for wood insects.
Wood Finishes Insights
Have you got your option now? It is not only worrying about finishes but also about the appearance of the wood products. If you have done something good, you’re doing the right thing.
Wood finishes mean a lot, especially if you are thinking of giving satisfaction to your customers.
Hopefully, this article has provided you so much information. Now, take your step on finding what suits you and buy your materials needed.