Recently I was asked a question that crops up on a regular basis and the question is “What finish should I use on a particular piece of furniture”? My stock answer is to ask another question! What purpose will you be using the particular pieces of furniture for? It’s no good using, say, an oil finish on a table that will enhance the natural beauty of the wood, if you are using that table in the kitchen. Conversely a beautiful oak desk would look awful covered in Polyurethane varnish.
There are many ways to finish a piece of furniture from simple painting through to French Polishing, for the purpose of this article I will look at the most common finishes that the home handy person might apply with the minimum of skill. Other than painting, the most common modern finish would be Polyurethane varnish. After preparing the surface Polyurethane can be applied with a brush, paint pad or spray gun. Usually two or three coats are required with a light sanding between each coat. The benefit of this type of surface coating is that it is very hard wearing, and can be wiped over with a wet cloth. This is the ideal finish for tables that will be used in a family environment when young children are present. The main disadvantage is that the Polyurethane finish looks exactly what it is, plastic. When using, follow the manufacturers instructions carefully, clean up by using mineral turpentine.
Another type of varnish gaining in popularity is the Acrylic varnish. The reason for this is that being water-soluble its quick to dry and easy to clean up.
Oil based varnish will give a more natural finish to a piece of furniture and will enhance the natural colours of the wood. It is fairly hard wearing but I would not recommend it for heavy family use. Best applied with a good quality brush however a paint pad will do a good job if used carefully.
My favourite finish for really good wood, where I want to bring out the natural beauty of the grain, is Danish Oil. Simply wipe on the oil and leave to dry, apply two or three coats then buff vigorously to a natural sheen. Certainly a beautiful finish but not one that will stand up to very heavy duty use , a dining table used by adults and protected with table mats during meals is probably the best way to describe its durability. Plus, of course, natural vegetable oils will soak into the fibres and help preserve the wood. Oil finishes are available in a variety of types, Tung oil, Teak oil, Organ oil to name but a few. Ask at your local hardware or paint store for help in choosing one to suit your needs.
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