6 Wood Finishing Myths You Should Stop Believing

Time and material cost spent in a woodworking project have the ability to turn the final finishing stage into a stressed situation. There are range of ideas you can click when concerned about finishing. Take a look at the usual wood finishing myths along with the actual concepts. Do read it, as you may come across some really useful details about wood finishing products.

1. Myth:Finishing on both sides of wood prevents or decreases warping.
   Fact: Finishing only slows but doesn’t reduce or prevent warping that results from wood shrinking. This is because moisture vapor goes through the finish and leads to warping up to an extent. Warping that’s caused by compression shrinkage on areas open to wetting & drying are not hindered.

2. Myth: For better results, sand to #440 or finer grit.
   Fact: Wood sanded to #440-grit has high gloss as compared to wood sanded to #180-grit, as #440-grit polishes more than #180-grit. However, no major difference is seen after application of any film finish. How about trying it and seeing how many hours you save.

3. Myth:Slow brushing leads to best results.
   Fact: Slow performance isn’t appreciated anywhere. Hence, brushing needs to be done rapidly. Make sure maintaining the control.

4. Myth:Brush should be applied across the grain first and then with the grain.
   Fact: You can opt for slow-curing finishes, like varnishes. Though you may get a coat that’s little more even in thickness but it won’t be visible.

5. Myth:The longer deck stain colors are left on the wood, the deeper they soak in the wood and the darker the wood turns.
   Fact: Yes, wood turns darker when stain is left for longer but the reason is different. Actually, some of the thinner in the stain evaporates, which increases the ratio of colorant to liquid. With high concentrations of colorant, darker colors are produced.

6. Myth:Apply and wipe off stain with the grain.
   Fact: When excess stain is wiped off, direction of stain application doesn’t matter. Also, it doesn’t matter in which direction stain is wiped off. What matters is making final pass with the grain, to ensure that streaks left are not noticeable.

Stop following anything you just hear from someone. Trust the proven results that have been explained to you quite clearly. Good luck!

 

The Role Of Temperature In Staining Outdoor Wood With Perfection

Nobody could ever deny the importance of staining his outdoor wood assets. From decks and patios to benches and railings everything should be treated with superior quality of wood finishing products. It is essential not only for defending them from decay but also they appear as beautiful as new after this.

When homeowners are keen to add to the curb appeal of their property they can select the best from variety of deck stain colors and apply them on the lumber. For staining you can hire professionals or you may keep the job with you if you have got the right tools, enough patience and time and most importantly knowledge of temperature.

Did you read it right? Was it knowledge of temperature? Yes it is all about temperature at the time when you took up the task of staining your external wood. For beginners it can be perfect to plan it on a weekend. After you get up late in the morning, naturally because it is a holiday, you spend some leisure time with your spouse and kids in preparing luxury breakfast. Post breakfast it may again take half an hour to one hour in collecting the things that will assist you in cleaning and staining your deck. Stop if it is already 1 or 2 in the clock. Many of you may ask why?

Well it is important to look for an ideal temperature so as to get the best staining results. For many homeowners it may come as a surprise that they should make use of deck sealer and stain after looking the weather forecast.

Noteworthy Points That Relate Temperature and Staining

1. High temperature may not be conducive for staining schedule as stain may dry too quickly. This will not allow penetration of stain deep into wood and therefore it is important to choose a day when temperature is either less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit or stain early in the morning.
2. A cloudy day is much better choice than a sunny day to stain your outdoor wood, but if rains are predictable refrain yourself from staining. Moisture and rain will not let the stain dry and it might get washed away with a pour.

 

Summer Special Tips For Staining Outdoor Wood

For deck owners summertime is deck time. Modern American homeowners understand the significance of their decks and patios. They are not mere extensions of your living space but they are perfect spots for all family gatherings and BBQs. This is possibly why they buy best of stain colors to beautify the wood decks and keep them in best state.

External wood especially that forms your deck is exposed to lot much of physical abuse. It is undoubtedly the highest traffic area of your house and is not spared from the Sun, wind, snow and much more on any given day.

What Comes Before Beautification of Deck?

Summer season is not difficult for human but for your wood too. While your expectations from your lumber patio and decks are high, they in turn need to be properly maintained and prepared for summer gatherings with the help of best quality of deck stain and sealer. You can do a lot like adding hanging pots to your deck for giving it a cool look. Some home owners prefer to shade it up with big and beautiful umbrellas while others bring some artificial fountains to give it special effects. From seating arrangements to lighting you can make it favorite spot for all because it is suitable to host friends’ reunion or family get together. But in absence of below mentioned small but very important steps it can all prove to be a failure.

Look out for dangerous signs. Your wood is subject to rotting and cupping. These when avoided can bring up the cases of injuries and tripping. Get them mended before you get into cleaning and staining your wood surface.

Ask questions to professionals. They know the best what kind of wood finishing products will suit the local climate. In many areas oil based premium wood deck finish will serve for two years or so.

Get engaged in cleaning. Don’t let the BBQ stains settle on wood surface. Clean the spills immediately as grease is not good for the finish. Make sure you don’t leave the debris over a week.

To help it look young and strong season after season you should do a lot when it comes to care and maintenance of timber deck.

The Many Benefits of Hiring Deck Staining Professional

Deck owners are so much soaked in the pleasure of having deck that they forget that lot of responsibilities come with this part of ownership. They sometimes think that buying wood finishing products will preserve and protect their wood. Unfortunately it does not happen. Your external wood gets abused and exposed to many harmful elements like harsh Sun, heavy rainfall and much more.

Why to hire professionals?

Deck maintenance is no choice but is obligatory for every wood deck’s long life. By maintaining the wood deck you will not only beautify your wood, but also you will extend the life of your wood.

Deck maintenance requires lot of attention. Your outdoor decks need to host guests and hold family dinners too. Enjoying barbecues in the greatness of the outdoors is out of this world experience. Compromise with the quality and beauty of your deck can be an unsightly sight. Of course quality wood finish paint can help you get rid of temporary stains but for the finest staining results you need to hire the professionals.

They are worth hiring for the experience and exposure they have gained over number of years. They not only get your outdoor wood the best exterior wood finish but also they have the tools and technique to complete the staining project.

Your deck is part of your home and overlooking its health for long will affect your whole house’s appearance. Hiring professionals have some clear benefits such as saving time. You being an inexperienced person cannot do justice to the staining job. It demands high level of knowledge and proficiency to complete the staining project. Moreover it is very difficult to carry out the project with consistency throughout the period. It requires a lot of patience and focus. In the absence of which you will find unevenly stained surfaces with patches.

On the other hand if you hire the professionals to do the job, you will be able to enjoy a weekend with your family.

 

Experts Advice: Water-Based Or Oil-Based Stain Color For Your Deck

Stain colors are slowly gaining the attention of their consumers as they have proved their worth by saving the wooden furniture, floor and walls due to the application of some of the best products. Having a deck that lays around like a wrecked ship will only make your house look untidy and you don’t want that people should avert your house for parties and get together. Stain Colors will come to your rescue and bring peace to your life. But how do you come to a conclusion that which type of stain is best suited for you?

From a long time, water-based and oil-based stains are fighting the battle to get the tag of being the best but the science differs and both of them get the fair chance of being the number 1 choice of the customers.

Let’s look down to the circumstances when one of them is favored:

1. Water-Based Products

   These days, the experts are openly favoring water-based exterior wood stain as it has the following list of benefits:

   • Last longer than any other as their effects retain on wood surface
   • Protect the wood from UV rays and color fading
   • Doesn’t peel off that easily even after several footsteps or wiping
   • Inhibit the growth of pests, algae and mold

   • Easier to maintain due to longer durability

   The only problem here would be the tough application. This needs right equipment and skills to apply the stain on the deck in proper order and stay patient while doing the task.

2. Oil-Based Products

   Wood deck stain that are affordable and easily penetrates into the surface without many efforts are oil-based. If you are not looking out for something too durable rather more affordable then this is the apt choice. However, due to certain resin contents, you might expect pests growth. This makes the cleaning process more important due to which early peeling off occurs. Rest assured, if you’re a great care taker then these won’t trouble you at all.

Be conscious about your choice and needs before making a purchase. Experts are the best people to consult in case of any doubts.

Cool Treatment Your Deck Secretly Wishes For in Summer

Ownership of a deck gives you rewarding experiences. Maintaining its beauty is a part of your home care job. If you succeed in maintaining your deck, it can up the value of your property to the prospect home buyers. At the onset of summer, every homeowner tries to fix the issues with his deck to the best of his knowledge. But, sometimes it is not enough as it is evident with the early damages to the deck sealer you applied. Though it is best to get the deck staining project done by the professionals but if you want to do it on your own, read its step by step procedure.

Warm weather of summers makes your deck more vulnerable to weathering and damages. Start the summer preparation of your deck with cleaning the deck at the first place. After winter, there are lots of leaves, debris and dirt underneath furniture. You may also find the insects hidden throughout winters. Remember to remove dry leaves and other unwanted elements from your deck only after removing the furniture. Follow sweeping with deep cleaning for removing the embedded dirt particles in the cracks of the deck. If you do not own a pressure washer you can rent it from local shop.

Also, make full use of it by cleaning the house as well while you are at it. It is not every day when you are into the cleaning shoes, so make full use of the same. Replace or repair the boards depending on the condition of them as they can age or their damages can go beyond repair due to poor maintenance.

While you prepare your deck for summer, it is the time to revamp the stain of the deck. Renew and refresh your deck with a high quality wood deck sealer. The rails are the parts of your deck, so don’t forget to clean and stain your deck. Think about cushions, hanging flower baskets and lighting to make your deck happening.

The 6 Best Wood Finishing Products to Consider

Wood finishing refers to application of protective layer on the bare wood. However, before applying the protective coating, it is important to prepare the wooden surface. This could be done by sanding, planning and scraping the surface imperfections and smooth ens the wood. Wood being a versatile material has several functions and is diverse as well. To select the right coat, it is good to compare particular application requirements with many finish traits.

Types of Wood Finish

To select the best wood finish, there are few characteristics that need to be considered. Whether one wants the final product to shine or have a matter appearance? Is durability a concern? Once finish traits are prioritized, it becomes easy to find the suitable coating. Check out some of the popular clear finish along with their distinguishing characteristics:

• Wax: Wax finish is easy to apply and gives nice shine to the surface. However, they need to be reapplied and offer minimal protection. As they can be removed easily, they are often considered noncommittal finish selection.
• Shellac: Though they are classified as a clear finish, some grades have a yellowish tint. It provides its substrate with water protection and offers protection against solvents excluding alcohol. The coating is durable and requires no application. Applying it can be a tough task but it is compatible with other coatings and works like an effective base layer.

3 Nitrocellulose Lacquer

It creates a hard yet glossy finish which offers good substrate protection and offers strong durability. Its coating requires a spray-on application technique; however, alternative brush methods are considered best.

• Conversion Varnish: Conversion varnish is almost like nitrocellulose lacquer but is quite hard to remove. Also, its coating may resist particular substances; thus, offering strong substrate protection.
• Polyurethane Varnish: It gives a clear coating. As the solvents involved are petroleum based, its coating is quite safe but difficult to apply. This finishing product needs curing period of 30 days.
• Water-Based Polyurethane: It gives a clear coating without giving the plastic look. It is suitable for products that are exposed to UV. As the coating dries quickly, it is important to follow brush and spray application.

Besides these wood finishing products, there are oil-based products as well. It all depends on one’s preference and needs. To give your wooden surfaces and furniture the needed look & feel, choose the right finish and apply it using the right technique. For expected results, be patient & relaxed while finishing.

Cool Tips to Prepare Your Deck for Hot Summers

Deck at your house is not just extension of your living space; a good deck is indeed center of attraction of your house. Wood decks are exposed and exploited by Mother Nature throughout the year. It survives the seasons of snow, heat and rain. Summers are knocking doors and asking for you to prepare your deck to face it all. You should give your deck a thorough inspection, cleaning and apply wood finish if required. You should start it with clearing all the furniture or other items kept in the deck area. Clean the space by sweeping away the dirt, debris, leaves, twigs etc.

Inspection of Deck is More Than a Ritual

Your deck is a joint for joyful evenings with friends, a romantic candle light spot in your cottage and long playing hours for your kids. It makes your wood deck a heavy traffic area and it is subject to wear and tear. A person should inspect every joint, frame and beam supporting deck closely. The ledgers should be free from any deterioration and rust. Repairs can be outside your capabilities, so call the experts.

Clean it Properly

Washing your deck is necessary before you go for repairs or staining as per the requirement. Keeping it clean will prevent any growth of molds and mosses on your deck. Decide on the cleanser as it may vary with the composition of your deck material. Consider renting a pressure washer for easy and thorough cleaning of your deck. However you need to act careful with pressure washer to avoid any damage to wood.

Work on Its Beauty With Best Wood Finishes

Staining or sealing your deck will help the longevity of your deck. It will look even better than a new deck after getting stained with quality products. You should think constructively for appointing a professional and trained wood expert to stain your deck and suggest the best wood finishing products you should get. You can get the expert opinion to decide between solid finish and clear coating.

It is best to work on wood in early mornings and late afternoons so that sun may not hinder the penetration of stain by your wood.

Best Wood Finishes To Keep Wooden Furniture Protected For Years

Wooden outdoor furniture depends on protective finish to stand strong and prevent damage against UV rays and moisture. By applying the best and standard finishes, this can be done easily along with enhanced life of the wooden stuff. Moreover, it enhances the look & feel as well. Some of the popular wood finishes are:

• Stains
• Paint
• Varnish or epoxy sealers
• Oil

If we talk about finishes for metal, they include:

• Powder coating
• Oil
• Natural patina
• Polyurethane
• Chrome plating

Choosing the right and long lasting exterior wood finish is very important. This is because, durability of finishes get affected when moisture content varies due to changing seasons. Direction of grain, i.e. flat-grained or edge-grained, also has its impact as how well the finish will last. In case of edge-grained surfaces, paint and varnish are the best for the smooth feel. On the other hand, penetrating stains are ideal for flat-grained surface. To preserve the grain and natural color of the wood, exterior varnish or epoxy sealer (with a topcoat of exterior varnish) and oil play the best role.

Applying wood finishes

The most durable natural finish comprises of three coats of epoxy with an exterior varnish topcoat. As epoxy serves to be a barrier to moisture, it prevents shrinking and swelling of the wood. Talking about the varnish, it creates a gleaming bright-work-style finish. As far as oil finish is concerned, it is the easiest to apply; however, lasts for about a year only. Oil stains come in variety of colors and offer protection against UV rays, mildew and mold.

To impart a natural finish, polyurethanes or exterior varnishes offer better protection and last for longer time. However, their application takes time and should be done very carefully. After getting that chalky-looking film, comes the turn for sand and application of fresh topcoat of varnish. Doing so will protect the wood for several years.

Take out some quality time and give your furniture attractive look for years.