4 minute read
Hardwood finish pnmer
II'ARDWOODS are among the Ilmost beautiful and versatile natural materials available. Their warmth and beauty can be further enhanced by applying some type of finish. The be$ fmish for a particular hardwood, like color, is a matter of persoal opinion. If applied correctly, most modern finishes will enhance the wood and protect it for many years.
Story at a Glance
llow hardwoods benellt lrom prcper flnlshing examlnlng the finish Upes of finish.
A common misconception about wood finish is that it will hide flaws in the wood. Yet, acually, the opposite is true - fmish makes flaws more noticeable. So regardless of tbe finish used, the wood surface should be as free as possible fton any imperfections before applylng the finish.
Though manufacturers typically use a fine grit paper in final sanding, this should not be considered a finish sand. End users sbould apply a finish sand before finish, removing any gouges, rough spots, sqarches or toril grain. The beginner or non-professional can start with a gmd penerating oil" such as Danish oil, particulrly when the wood is to be left in its natural state.
When working with a panel face composed of multiple pieces of veneer, a good sealer should be applied before staining to avoid a "barber pole" effect. Additionally, both sides should be sealed to avoid an unbalanced condition that could result in cupplng c wrping.
A quality finish adds depth, richness and clarity to the hardwood. Poor finishes look dull, flat and unnaural. But you can tell as much by touch as you can by sight. To examine a finish, run your fingers over the surface.
Are surfaces smooth and free of drips, runs andbubbles? Are corners ftee of sr,eaks and finish naterial? Is the wood grain enhanced? Is the stain uniform and well-blendod? On fumiture, are hard-to-reach areas (near joints or carvings) smooth, evenly stained and ftee of glue?
A fumiffie finish, for example, can involve anywhere from tbree n 25 or more steps, including the initial sanding, rubbing, glazing ant higbligbting grain patterns. Furniture in general use must be polished to seal the pores of the woo{ protect the surfaoes, accentuate and enhance the beauty of the figure, creat€ highughts and provide as much resistance against heat or split liquids as possible.
Types of finish include: wax polish (the softened wax peneEates the wood surface and enhances the figure, giving it great deEh and wamth). Oil
Finish Maintenance
. Dust with a soft cloth, following the grain pattem. Dust often with a lightlymoistened cloth. A dry cloth can leave hairline scrarches on the finish.
Surfaces may also be cleaned with a mild non-alkaline soap and water using a damp sponge or cloth. Dry immediately with a soft cloth and buff lightly, following the grain.
Finishes benefit from occasional waxing or polishing.
polish (applied in thin layers, oiloften linseed - absmbs oxygen, dries and forms a light protective filn on it); varnishes (combinations of oils and resins for simultaneously protecting wood and improving beauty); French polish (a specialist craft using shellac, alcohol, oil and pumice); lacquers (nitro-cellulose, synthetic, acid catalyst and polyurethane); Wood stains (while the most Eoublesome to apply, water, spiriUalcohol or oilbased stains penefrate fairly deeply and yield the clearest finish).
TOPS IN wooDstDlNc NAlLs
Maze Stormguard@ "Split-Less" and "SLIM-JIMo' Slainless Steel nails provide the most trustworthy combination in the industry. Both have blunt points and slender shanks for driving closeto board edges without splitting u/ood.
Both types are stocked unpainted and in slandard Cedar and Redwood colors. other colors available. Write for free literature and samples.
Sterling S. Montgomery, 72, chaimran of the board and founder of Kempsville Building Materials, Virginia Beach, Va., died Jan. 30, 1994, in Virginia Beacb.
A native of North Carolina, he started a lumber mill, Montgomery Lumber, Virginia Beach, in tbe midl94os and opened Kempsville Buildinc Mat€rials in 1955. The mill was m6ved o Chesapeatre, Va, in 1991.
Mr. Montgomery served on many committees and as a director for the Virginia Building Material Association.
Hugh Keufman, retired 40-year veteran of Long Bell/International PaDer Co., Enid, Ok., died Feb. 8, tct9l. lle was 86.
Fred McDorman, 76, former yard manager and district supervisor for Dyke Brothers Lumber Co., Litrle Rock, Ar., died March 10, 1994, in Little Rock.
He started with Dyke Brothers in 1945, leavingin 1974. A year later, he joined May Supply Co., Little Rock, in outside sales. He worked for the State of Arkansas Parks and Tourism from 1987 until his retirement last year.
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CALLING SIGNALS: (1) Great Southern Wood Preseruino oresident Jinimv Rane (second from left) with dohdres Terry Bowden, Aubum; Larry Bldkeney, Troy State Universily; Ray Goff, Uni' versily of Georgia; Pat Dye, former Aubum coacli, who autograph€d footballs lor the more than 375 peopl6 attending an open house markino thil comoletion of a maior upqrade al the Gr6at South'ern plant in Mbbile, Al. (2)
Greo Rane, Great Soulhern execulive vice president; George Ballard, Building Supply Center, Pensacoh, Fl. (3)TeryBouden; Barry Newsome, Georgia-Pdc'tlic. (4) Bill Fbhet, Stdnqtellow Lumber, Birmingham, Al.; Angela Rane-: Wimp Sanderson, former Univercity ol Alabama bbsketball coadt. Guests enioyed guided toun of the 28 aae facilily and efiibits by suppliers al the Matd 25 event.
