Barewood Furniture: Finishing Products

All of our solid wood furniture is read-to-finish. It is easy and fun to transform your furniture into a piece that you will be proud of for years to come. It will take a little time and patience, but the result is well worth it.

We offer a complete line of finishing products for the Do-It-Yourself project, or you can have one of our professionals apply your desired finish. Below are some Tips and Hints to get the best results from your finish.

SUPPLY LIST:

Wood filler Rubber gloves #220 sandpaper
Tack cloth Wipe on Stain Wipe on polyurethane
Cotton cloth squares Foam brush or Q tips #000 steel wool or
Drop cloth #600 sandpaper

PREPARATION:

Select a well-ventilated work area. Place a drop cloth down in the area.
Remove all hardware (knobs, hinges, etc.), drawers, and doors. Number the drawers and doors so that you can put them back in their original position.
Fill all nail holes or cracks with a wood putty. Try to match the color as closely as possible. DO NOT USE plastic wood, as this will not accept stain.
Sand all surfaces using #220 sandpaper. Always sand in the direction of the grain. A little time spent here will yield positive results on the finished piece, but do not over sand. Wipe the dust off with a tack cloth when you are finished.

STAINING:

Test the color in a hidden spot to ensure you are satisfied before you begin.

Apply the stain liberally using a cotton cloth. Use a circular motion and cover all areas of the section you are working on. Wipe off all excess stain with a clean cloth, working in the direction of the grain.

TIP: Work in manageable sections (a drawer, top, one side, etc). Do not attempt to stain the entire piece at one time.

If you desire a darker color, allow the piece to dry completely, usually overnight. Steel wool with #000. Reapply stain following directions above.

TIP: Use a Q Tip or a foam brush to get into those hard to reach areas.

TOP COATING:

The purpose of a clear topcoat is to protect your finish and to give depth to the stain color. Always read your manufacturers directions first.

First, make sure that the stain has dried completely (usually overnight). Go lightly over the entire piece with either #000 steel wool or #600 sandpaper. Wipe off all dust.

Apply enough topcoat so that you can see a wet gloss over the entire surface, using a cotton cloth. Wipe off any excess, working in the direction of the grain.

Allow 4 to 6 hours to dry and repeat this process. The manufacturers usually recommend three topcoats. When you are finished, sit back and enjoy your masterpiece.

Manufacturers recommend allowing the piece to cure for several days before using.