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.

Vibrant Wood Finish Paints You Will Fall in Love With

Are you planning to design your room? Why not start doing it from the ground up? One of the best ways to add beauty and value to any property is with wood floors. The vast collection of wood care products such as stains and wood paint available these days keep the floor durable and beautiful.

Hardwood Floor Color

We all want perfect colors in our home, especially on striking points like hardwood floors. The stunning options available allow one to mix and match colors and find something that will match their expectations.

The first thing that is important while working with stains is testing the color on a scrap wood first. However, this wood must be of the same species as the floor.

The beauty of wood

Now it is very important to keep in mind that the beauty of wood is nothing but its natural variation. Stain color that’s used determines the finished appearance of the wood. Moreover, species of wood that is being finished, pre-treatments performed and quantity of stain applied also play crucial role. You may not know that even two pieces of same species can differ in natural color which therefore, has a lot to do with the final perception.

Floor staining can be done within a short span of time and transforms the whole look of the floor. However, it should be done before the finished is applied.

The Appealing Benefits

When working with new floor installation, nothing could be better than staining to bring the space to life. Take a look at the major benefits of staining:

• Impressive Appearance:Stain colors instantly add sophistication and an element of drama to the space. Dark colors are in trend these days and give a lasting impression that charms everyone.

• Mock Different Wood Types: Yes, you may not realize but this fact is true. Staining has the ability to mimic several types of wood. Whether you want cherry tone, oak tone or walnut tone, just apply the right stain and there you are with the desired results. 

• Accentuate the Space:Adding comfort and warmth to the home can be done with stains. Also, it accentuates the grain of the hardwood flooring and creates a rustic & cozy feel to the space.

What are you waiting for? Choose the right stain or wood finish paint if painting is what you want to do and improve the look of your flooring which will eventually enhance the beauty of your place. Let the right colors give your home a new definition and meaning in every way possible.

Things To Do For Making Your Timber Deck Look New

A home with backyard deck is a dream for many Americans. Decks can be built in various materials like wood, composite decking boards and deck tiles. Nevertheless the beauty and charm of wood is incomparable to any other material. Decks give your home a stunning curb appeal and provide beautiful platform to host family gatherings on weekends. There is huge array of wood stain colors that can add to the attraction of your deck. Deck owners can pick any low VOC stain to apply on the newly constructed or old deck. The old decks do not look appealing and may make you feel ashamed before your guests.

The significance of taking care and maintaining wood deck is not limited to the appearance but a lot more deep. When a homeowner decides to construct deck he knows it is an investment. It can certainly increase the cost of property considerably and leaves a lasting impression on the on-lookers. You invest a big amount of money in its construction and forget it afterwards. It is a huge yet common mistake the deck owners do.

Your wood deck is exposed to many harmful elements and needs extra attention and care than any other wood surface. Thoughtfulness towards applying quality wood floor stains on regular intervals will prove to be very rewarding. Respecting the deck that receives lots of traffic everyday will enrich the wood and adds to the years of its life.

Quick Tips For Wood Deck Maintenance

Impose the tips given by deck experts and enjoy better lifespan of your beautiful deck.

• Dirty deck invites mold and mildew which can cause rot. Sweep your deck regularly to clear off the debris, dirt and dust etc. Follow it with cleaner to remove the tough stains. Remember to cover the flowers and other pots with cover.
• Clean the deck with help of pressure cleaner and let it dry for minimum 2 days before you seal the deck.
• Don’t do it when kids are around as they can get affected by the harsh chemicals used in making of stains and paints.
• Stay protected if you are carrying on the deck staining project.

 

Encompass Safety Tips in DIY Deck Staining Projects

Staining wood is decades old practice for protecting, enriching and extending its life span. The wood decks are revived either with the application of deck stains or wood paint. Both the given options have their own set of pros and cons. While wood paint offers better life, stains come in budget of every deck owner. This takes second to nothing that you should take best care of wood deck so that it continues to enhance the curb appeal of your sweet home. At the same time deck owners get troubled with the call to take between hiring staining professional or take up the project on his own. For many reasons, the price factor in center, D-I-Y staining is preferred by a large number of deck owners. When you deal with wood finish paint with your soft hands, you are vulnerable to lot many related troubles, allergic reactions just to begin with.

Project Yourself Too While Protecting Wood

Staining is somewhat easy if you stay protected all the while. The experts share some great tips to use when you decide to stain the wood yourself. These effective and useful tips are mentioned below for your perusal.

• Start from the basics and simple things.Don’t get yourself stained. You should wear old clothes while staining the deck and fences. As there are high chances of getting the stain on clothes, use old clothing only. Tie your hair in a tight bun and wrap it with the cotton scarf or cloth. Make sure you wear safety glasses to keep stain out of your eyes.
• Keep the stain away from fire and dispose the used rags. You may not be aware that the stains are inflammable and can catch fire easily. If you make use of any rags for cleaning the stain or reaching in the gaps between boards, dip them in bucket of water before disposing them in dustbin. This way they will not be catching fire.
• You may feel light headed so inhale fresh air going at a distance from the deck and stains.
• Always use best wood deck paint, and especially when you have kids around you cannot take chance with quality of the stains.

Time and Temperature Make the Best Time for Staining

To withstand the harsh conditions of American weather your deck needs your attention and best deck stain. It should appear good and it should be durable too because it has to deal with a lot of traffic coming in a home. The decks which are the extensions to living areas or are the part of backyards are the most used in comparison to the garden patios. Applying premium quality of wood deck stain will ensure the extended life of your wood. While many homeowners trust the professionals to take care of their deck few others have the skills and the tools in their homes to take up the deck staining project on their own. No matter you do it on your own or you hire a staining professional, you should know that time and temperature influence the results utmost.

When To Stain The Wood?

Wood used in your deck and fences has to deal with the harsh realities of the outer world. You cannot treat them anytime that is convenient for you like wood furniture kept inside your house. Deck stains used by the homeowners may not give the desired results when the preparation and the application are not proper.

The best time to stain your deck would be when the two factors- time and temperature work well with each other. It will depend on the size of the deck that how much time is required to stain the deck. On an average two days at the minimum are required to prepare and stain the deck. Preparation primarily revolves around the removal of the heavy objects and power wash the dust, dirt and debris from the wood surface.

Many homeowners don’t realize that summers are not ideal for staining the deck. You need the stains to be absorbed properly so that they stay for long. Higher temperatures and direct sunlight don’t allow the stain to dry on its own. Mild temperatures like early in the morning and later in the afternoon can be your choice in colder months when there is no direct sunlight.

Easy Guide on Wood Oil Application Technique

When it comes to choose the best wood finishing oil, it is high-quality and natural. Most of these oils can be easily used on almost every type of wood finishing projects including decks, furniture, interior surfaces, tables, cabinets, panels, wood floors and various other porous surfaces.

If you are in search of superior quality oil that gives clear finish, try going for tung oil base which has got no cheap filler oils and added driers. It is important to understand what does a good oil refers to. Well it refers to durable, deep penetrating, water resistant and durable oil that lasts for years and gives the expected results.

Once you have purchased the needed wood finish oil, it is important to know the right application technique. This is because if not applied the right way, it will not give the desired results and you may come across various problems from time to time.

How to apply oil the right way?

Well, now that’s a smart question and its answer is explained clearly in the below mentioned points. Check it out below:

1. Apply the oil liberally with a cotton cloth that’s lint free. You can also use a brush for a smooth application.
2. Now allow the oil to penetrate evenly for 15 minutes. Make sure to remove excess oil with the clean cotton cloth.
3. Never allow the oil to dry before you have removed the excess finishing oil. Generally, 3 coasts of oil are recommended at an interval of 24 hours between each coat.
4. Remember that additional coats increase the surface protection as well as sheen.
5. For best results and for a silky smooth surface, rub the surface gently between each oil application.
6. To enhance the wood, you can apply a coat of traditional paste wax or all-natural beeswax after the final coat is done. This will add depth and extra surface protection.

With these easy techniques, you can apply wood finish oil the best way. What else? The results will definitely meet your expectations.

How to maintain wood finishing oil?

That’s another important yet simple thing to do. Want to know how? Here they are in the below given points:

1. Dust with a soft and dry cloth. Slightly damping the cloth is also a good way.
2. Apply a fresh coat of oil when needed.

With these simple things in mind, you can get a standard finish that will shine for years.

Guide To Maintenance Of Wood Furniture

Wood furniture has been in your house from ages. These life settling structures give comfort and convenience at any place. In return, they demand some attention due to their weary nature. Whether your furniture is made from hardwood or softwood, they all need extra care to guarantee their stay in your home for decades to come. A well treated wooden floor or furniture must be well insulated from the environmental damage and man-made accidents. The best way to avoid moisture and insect attacks is by using wood stain colors on them. It also discourages scratches and friction caused fading.

Let’s try some easy ways to maintain newness of furniture:

1. Regular Cleaning

The accumulated dust makes the surface rough and dull. It is not only unhealthy to keep a dirty furniture at home but also spreads negative energies in the space. Dusting regular will improve the age of furniture and keep it shining longer. But remember to use cotton cloth else it would reverse the purpose.

2. Use Stains On The Surface

Many people prefer paints on their furniture which is also a protective shield but paints are not for every place. Fences, deck floors or garden structures need more than paint because they are susceptible to damage due to high temperature on sunny days, rains and insect attack. Experts suggest deck stain colors because paints tend to chip off and corrosion.

3. Remove smell from old wooden furniture

Wood fills with moisture and promotes the growth of fungus which causes it to smell if left in storage or untreated. Antigens traverse through body and destroy health. Also, pets can get seriously ill. To treat this, keep the furniture outside the house in a shaded place on a dry day and stain the surface.

Use of these simple tips could change the way your furniture remains lying without any life on floor. Showcase their beauty with proper caring.

Bring Colorless Wooden Surfaces To Life With The Right Stain Colors

Staining wood is not just a job to make the wooden stuff look appealing but also a colorful and fun experience. Choosing the right colors and working like a pro does not need any special trait, as it is all about playing with the right textures. Opacity and stain palettes are best to try when one is beginning their coloring journey.

When staining, it is very important to determine the appropriate opacity, as it ranges from lightly pigmented to complete coverage. Besides protecting the deck and wooden surface, they also enhance the overall look. ‘Mix and match’ is the best strategy for a smooth and pleasing curb appeal. One can explore the infinite world of wood stain colors and let their natural wood shine throughout. Simply cover the wood blemishes with the right grain colors and restore the new and attractive look forever.

How to stain a deck
When it comes to stain a deck, knowing the right technique plays a crucial role. If you are planning
to stain your deck, check out the helpful guidelines below:

1. Don’t powerwash: Powerwashing needs a very sharp eye and practice as well. This is because this technique when done improperly, results in gaps, splintering and warping.
2. Proper cleanliness: The surface should be cleaned thoroughly using a long arm brush and deck cleaner.
3. Let it dry: Dry the surface for at least two days to ensure moisture does not gets trapped while staining.
4. Begin with staining between the slats: For this, 2 edging pads with properly trimmed plastic edges are needed. Besides this, a paint tray and an extension pole are the other needed essentials. Place the edging pads opposite from each other and dip them in stain. Remember swiping in between slats. Now, use a roller and roll over the surface to prevent the paint drips from drying on the surface.
5. Stain the nails: Doing this is easy and less time consuming when staining the slats with the help of side of the roller.
6. Get the smooth finish: For the expected results, it is good to roll with an extension handle.

These simple steps will help you with the desired results besides improving the life of your deck.