Finishing Wood
CHAPTER 16 Finishing Wood Christopher G. Hunt, Research Chemist Wood finishes (paint, varnish, and stain, for example) give Contents a desired appearance, protect wood surfaces, and provide Wood Properties Affecting Finish Performance 16–1 a cleanable surface. Many people consider appearance Wood Products 16–6 most important when choosing finishes for wood products. Effect of Weathering on Finish Performance 16–9 However, from a technical aspect, protection—from water, sunlight, and weathering—is most important for Decay and Insects 16–11 wood used outdoors. For wood indoors, appearance Controlling Water and Water Vapor 16–12 and a cleanable surface are generally most important. General Properties of Wood Finishes 16–14 When selecting a finish, one should consider appearance, Exterior Finishes 16–15 protection, cleanability, how properties of wood affect finish application, and how long it will likely last. Application of Finishes, Special Uses 16–21 Failures 16–23 Wood properties vary within and across wood species. Wood composites, such as plywood, fiberboard, and Finishing Interior Wood 16–29 oriented strandboard (OSB), have different properties. Of Wood Cleaners and Brighteners 16–31 the 18,000 to 25,000 known wood species, approximately Paint Stripping 16–31 50 are commercial species used in the United States and Lead-Based Paint 16–33 Canada. (Chapters 2–4 describe their properties.) Of these commercial species, researchers report finishing Acknowledgment 16–34 characteristics for only a few of the most commonly used Literature Cited 16–34 species. However, if one understands how wood properties, Recommended Books 16–34 finish, and environmental conditions interact, it should FPL FinishLines and TechLines 16–34 be possible to predict and avoid issues with finishing performance for most wood products.
[Show full text]