11
votes
Accepted
How do I treat MDF?
What should I apply to seal the edges from leaking and seal the top from absorbing? Indoor use, subject to humidity.
Technically you don't have to do anything to it, many people have MDF benchtops ...
- 63.5k
9
votes
What is a good finish for shot glasses?
My advice would be not to make glasses out of wood so I'll put that out there right at the start.
The only sure-fire ways of waterproofing wood are to completely encase it in a film finish, or ...
- 63.5k
8
votes
How do I fix a bench that my dog chewed?
Unless you want to refinish the whole table, this is really just going to come down to trial and error. Find some scrap wood, head down to the store to find some similar looking stains / oils / etc., ...
- 5,593
8
votes
Accepted
What is the best finish for wood in a bathroom
As always "what's the best xxxx" is not a good Question. In almost all cases there isn't a best but instead multiple good options to pick from, and that is very much the case here.
I am concerned ...
- 63.5k
7
votes
Shellac over paint, outdoors
Shellac doesn't do well with water, that's your starting point here. It's also relatively brittle and with the expected movement in the wood you're likely to see problems with cracking.
Bonding to ...
- 63.5k
7
votes
Accepted
What is the purpose of Maloof oil/wax and how is it different than regular paste wax?
Is this a common finish?
No. Oil/wax blends are not common and I think for good reason. Looked at a certain way it's because it combines the worst of both materials, something I don't say lightly.
...
- 63.5k
7
votes
Used motor oil on treated pine
but rather whether this is inferior treatment to another treatment option that is still affordable and won't require more maintenance over the coming years.
It's certainly something that people do -- ...
- 9,508
6
votes
Do I need to seal the ends of hardwood fence boards?
Yes you absolutely want to treat the ends of fence boards, even if they don't face upwards but especially if they do.
Typically you wouldn't use anything different on them, just coat with the same ...
- 63.5k
6
votes
Accepted
Polyurethane or similar on multiple sides at once, quickly, no drips
Apply the varnish more thinly. Thinly is a pun here, as I mean thinned but this will directly result in a thinner coat being applied to the wood.
A thin coating is automatically less subject to ...
- 63.5k
6
votes
Accepted
Can I use lacquer over an epoxy resin?
Lacquer can stick to epoxy. How secure the bond is depends on a few factors but if you provide a textured surface for a mechanical bond to form — as you do when you sand — that gives the best chance ...
- 63.5k
6
votes
Accepted
Shellac over paint, outdoors
My question is, how should I expect a fairly thick shellac finish (over paint) to behave outdoors over time? It will be exposed to sunlight, a wide range of temperatures, and plenty of rain, snow, and ...
- 12.1k
6
votes
What finishes are suitable for use on a slab headboard?
This is the type of thing that should be asked "what finish could I use...." rather than should. There are essentially no areas of finishing where there's a should use, almost every case comes down to ...
- 63.5k
6
votes
Accepted
Finishing an indoors pine table
Should be completely transparent
All standard finishes are transparent, but some are not without a little colour, or "water white" as it's usually referred to.
If you don't mind that it imparts a ...
- 63.5k
6
votes
Accepted
What wood/finish would hold up to use in a video game controller?
I've worked with redwood in the past, and it seems like it would hold up well for the grips both from past experience and from some articles I've found.
In woodworking circles you'll generally be ...
- 63.5k
6
votes
What finish is suitable for a childrens toy?
Although there continues to be disagreement on this point online (which I expect won't ever stop) any common finish should actually be acceptable for this. The finish needs to be fully cured, see the ...
- 63.5k
6
votes
Accepted
finish for a very large pine dining table --- is beeswax crazy?
I'll preface my comments by saying that finish choice is a very personal thing, what one person is comfortable using and living with (in terms of upkeep and periodic maintenance) another would not. ...
- 63.5k
6
votes
Cost-effective wood selection for outdoor craft project
Exterior grade MDF is available here in Europe, but in US I don't know about cost or availability. It is very durable with finish applied, but cost is high.
Exterior grades of plywood should be ...
- 2,109
5
votes
Accepted
How can I prevent outdoor cedar projects from losing their color?
Short answer, there is no product you can apply that will preserve the color of cedar for the long term.
There are some products you can apply to slow the aging process of the cedar or just cover it ...
- 12.1k
5
votes
Accepted
Can water based wood dyes be mixed to be more opaque?
I lack the equipment and experience to do the finish with an airbrush and tinted lacquer, so I've set my sights on using water based wood dyes to rub on
Let me stop you right there. Believe it or not ...
- 63.5k
5
votes
Accepted
How can I harden soft woods?
Putting a glass top over it would be simplest.
There are epoxies made for bar tops which might work, but I have no idea what they would do over a soft wood.
There are compounds used to harden ...
- 9,171
5
votes
Accepted
Using raw beeswax for cutting board finish
There are various ways of introducing wax to wood, including dissolving the wax into the mineral oil (this makes what some call "board butter" or "spoon butter"), making up a conventional paste wax, ...
- 63.5k
4
votes
Accepted
What type of paint would be suitable in terms of durability?
I was thinking of using outdoor paint, like for a house. Is latex based a good choice?
Yes but you'd probably get better results from a dedicated indoor paint.
While paint for outdoor applications ...
- 63.5k
4
votes
What type of paint would be suitable in terms of durability?
If you are willing to spray a finish, I think the go to would be lacquer. This will provide a hard and durable finish that is frequently used on furniture, cabinets, etc.
Paint is always an option ...
- 4,798
4
votes
Accepted
Epoxy resin and wood movement
Will there still be wood movement after the epoxy has cured?
Yes, some at least (assuming the underside is not sealed).
What will happen if there is wood movement?
It depends on many factors, ...
- 63.5k
4
votes
Letting the under-paint show through
It really depends what type of finish you're looking for. The most common method I've seen is to paint the entire piece, let it dry, then sand through the new paint in a few places for a distressed ...
rob♦
- 18.7k
4
votes
Staining and finishing an Oak walking stick
Stain is to colour wood, you only need to use that if you want to change the basic colour of the oak (make it darker, more brown, more reddish etc.) but you sound like you're happy enough with it as-...
- 63.5k
4
votes
Having trouble finding a good finish for baltic birch
My understanding is that baltic birch takes stains in a blotchy manor in general. Since it is not the only wood that does this, they have products for blotch control. One group is called pre-...
- 15.6k
4
votes
What to finish my pine loft bed with?
I don't know whether I want to stain the bed at all. I like the color of natural pine, and staining it would be additional work.
I'd certainly be in favour of not staining myself. It's not only that ...
- 63.5k
4
votes
Is sealing wood with urethane or the like enough to avoid wood movement?
A finish is not a hermetic seal. It may slow wood movement; it will not prevent wood movement.
Humidity matters much more than temperature.
- 9,171
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible