Wood Finishing Basics APPLICATION TECHNIQUES & PRODUCT SELECTION GETTING STARTED Your home is a unique expression of your individual Before starting any wood finishing project it is important decorating taste. And what better way to display your to have a proper workspace and supplies. When creating style than through the warmth and beauty of natural the ideal area please keep the following in mind: wood? From traditional to contemporary and everywhere • The work station must have adequate light. in-between, the possibilities are endless! Wood’s natural • Always work in a well ventilated area. warmth and beauty add richness and character. And with • The workspace should be dry and warm. If the area is ® a little know-how and Minwax stains and finishes, it’s cool or damp it may alter the dry times indicated on the easier than you think to create a statement of style. labels. In this guide, author and craftsman, Bruce Johnson, There are a number of items frequently used in wood pairs application tips and techniques with product finishing projects. This list does not include all the supplies needed, but what is most commonly used. recommendations that best enhance the beauty of wood Always consult the label of the Minwax® products you are in your home. This booklet will take you through the wood using to see if special application tools are required. finishing process including preparation, staining and topcoating, as well as maintenance of your wood pieces. Rags Stir Sticks Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned do-it-yourselfer, Brushes Safety Glasses these ideas will help you achieve beautiful results with ease. Sandpaper Rubber Gloves Drop Cloths or Paper Towels DIY expert, Bruce Johnson, has introduced millions to Newspapers the world of wood For best results, and for your own safety, always read finishing, home and follow all label warnings and instructions carefully. improvement and Contents antique restoration. 3-6 Preparing Your Wood Surface Through his many • Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner books, magazine • Sanding Sealer articles and columns, • Do’s & Don’ts as well as frequent 7-12 Wood Stains appearances on • Pick the Right Stain For Your Project national television talk • Staining Popular Woods shows, Johnson is • Application Tips recognized as an • Do’s & Don’ts authority in the do-it-yourself community. 13-18 Clear Protective Finishes • Pick the Right Clear Protective Finish • Application Tips • Do’s & Don’ts 19-21 Wood Repair & Maintenance • Do’s & Don’ts 1 22 Safety Information 2 PREPARING YOUR WOOD SURFACE Choosing The Right Sandpaper Sandpaper is produced in various degrees of coarseness While it has often been said, it can’t be over-emphasized: which is measured by grits. the better the preparation, the better the project results. • Sandpaper below #100-grit is only used to quickly remove You need to start every project knowing one thing for wood or layers of an old finish. certain - wood is unpredictable. For that reason you • Medium sandpaper (#100-grit and #120-grit) is ideal for removing shallow scratches, dents and rough edges that always need to first test any technique, material or could cause splinters. Either of these two grits can be product on an inconspicuous spot. You can reduce the used for a first sanding of most projects. unpredictable nature of wood in two ways: • A final sanding with #180 or #220-grit sandpaper, will 1. by making sure you have properly prepared the wood remove any scratches left by the medium sandpaper and for the stain and finish you are about to apply. will eliminate any remaining loose fibers in the wood. 2. by creating the best possible environment to work on After the final sanding, the wood is ready for the first coat of your project, as discussed on page 2. a wood finishing product to be applied. PREPARATION TIPS Capturing Dust Inspect Your Project Dust is the enemy of a smooth finish. Blowing sanding dust Start your wood finishing project by making a thorough off your project with an air compressor or brushing it onto inspection of the wood. Make note of any holes, cracks, your floor can still result in it ending up in your wet stain splits or loose joints that need to be repaired. These are or finish. Instead, use a bristle attachment on a vacuum to always best done prior to staining and finishing your project. safely capture it once and for all. Filling Holes and Cracks PRE-STAIN WOOD CONDITIONER To fill small holes and cracks in the wood, use What makes wood so beautiful is that every piece is unique. Minwax® Stainable Wood Filler. Using the tip of a Because of those differences wood rarely absorbs stain screwdriver, carefully pack the Stainable Wood Filler evenly. To reduce the blotchiness and uneven stain into the hole, mounding it slightly to allow for absorption use a pre-stain wood conditioner. shrinkage as it dries. ® Sanding is Key Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner (oil-based) Sanding is a critical step in the GOOD FOR: Bare or unfinished wood. It’s preparation process for several formulated to penetrate the grain of the wood reasons. and to promote uniform acceptance of wood • It smoothes out the wood stain. It prevents streaking and blotching to surface. help ensure a beautiful, even stain. When • It removes minor nicks and scratches that would using an oil-based stain use only an oil-based pre-stain otherwise become more obvious after staining and wood conditioner. Stain should be applied within two hours ® finishing. of application of Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner. • It removes any surface glaze, which can prevent stain or APPLY WITH: brush or cloth finish from entering the pores. NUMBER OF COATS: 1 • It opens the pores of the wood to accept more stain and finish. 3 4 ® Minwax Water Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner PREPARATION DO’S & DON’TS GOOD FOR: Bare or unfinished wood. Minwax® Do... Water Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner is specially formulated to prevent streaking and • Keep workspace dry and warm. If the blotching, ensuring a beautiful, even stain. When temperature drops below 65 degrees during the using Minwax® Water Based Stains, Minwax® recommended drying time, the evaporation process Water Based Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner must be used to will slow and the product will remain tacky for a ensure even stain penetration and reduce grain raising. longer length of time. For best results, after applying Water Based Pre-Stain Wood • Keep products at room temperature. Make sure Conditioner, wait 15-30 minutes before lightly sanding the your project and your products are at room surface with fine-grade sandpaper, then apply stain. temperature before starting. APPLY WITH: cloth, synthetic-bristle brush or foam applicator • Sand in the direction of the grain. Sanding NUMBER OF COATS: 1 against the grain leaves scratches that will become obvious when they later absorb either stain or SANDING SEALER finish. A sanding sealer is not the same as a wood conditioner. Wood • Use a pre-stain wood conditioner. Apply a liberal conditioner is a pre-stain treatment that promotes even stain coat of the pre-stain wood penetration and reduces blotchiness. A sanding sealer is conditioner over the entire wood applied to new or bare wood that is not going to be stained. It will dry quickly, seal the pores and sand easily to create an surface, including the end grain ultra-smooth foundation for a clear protective finish. of any board, to ensure even stain absorption. On extremely soft or porous woods, Minwax® Professional Formula Sanding Sealer apply a second coat to further reduce blotchiness GOOD FOR: Bare or unfinished floors, doors, when staining. furniture and cabinets. It seals wood grain, is easy to sand and dries in one hour. It’s Don’t... specially formulated to be used prior to • Work in direct sunlight. The heat from the sun applying any oil-based or water-based clear can cause moisture in the wood to create bubbles Minwax® polyurethane finish. in your stain or finish. APPLY WITH: synthetic-bristle brush, foam applicator or • Work beneath air vents. Heating or air synthetic pad NUMBER OF COATS: 1 conditioning vents can blow dust directly into your wet finish. Minwax® Lacquer Sanding Sealer • Use a belt sander. Belt sanders should not be GOOD FOR: Bare or unfinished woodwork, used on any surface other the hardwood floors, as cabinets, furniture and interior doors. Lacquer they can quickly leave deep gouges and scratches Sanding Sealer is formulated to work as a in the wood. base coat under Minwax® Clear Brushing • Skip the pre-stain wood conditioner. Wood Lacquer. It is easy to sand, dries quickly, and seals the wood Conditioner improves the appearance of any in just one coat. Not recommended for use on floors. stained wood. APPLY WITH: natural-bristle brush • Exceed recommended wait time. Be sure to NUMBER OF COATS: 1 apply stain within the time listed on the pre-stain 5 wood conditioner label. 6 WOOD STAINS PICK THE RIGHT STAIN FOR YOUR PROJECT Every stain has unique characteristics and benefits. Choose While wood in its natural state can provide breathtaking the stain that offers the best results for your project. beauty, it doesn’t always match the other colors or wood tones in our home. Adding stain to bare or stripped wood Minwax® Wood FinishTM can both change the color and highlight the grain pattern of GOOD FOR: Furniture, cabinets, doors, hardwood floors, trim and molding. Wood Finish™ is an any interior wood. Since wood is a product of nature, it can oil-based wood stain that can be used to enhance vary from tree to tree, even in the same wood species.