WOOD FINISHER'S HANDBOOK

Contents

Introduction
About Wood
Safety First
1 · Wood Preparation

2 · Finishing Tools

3 · Staining and Filling

4 . Protective Coatings

5 · Mixing Stains

6 · Finishing Problem Woods

7 · Hand-Rubbed Finishes

8 · Wood Graining

9 · Chemical Stains

10 · Gilding and Stencilling

11 · Reproducing Antique Finishes

Glossary
Index
About the Author

Index

A
Abrasives, types of, 26-27
Acid, safety precautions, 127
Aerosol finishing products, 67-68, 79-80
Air compressors, 59-60
Air condensers, 60-61
Air transformer, 60, 61
Alcohol
   removal of water marks by, 41
   as shellac solvent, 45, 46
   spiriting off and, 92, 93
   spirit stains and, 74
   use in mixing shellac, 89-90
Alkalis, for chemical staining,129
Alkanet root stain, 145
Alkyds, 84, 97-98
Alligatoring, 103
Amalgamator, 40
Ammonia, for chemical staining, 128-129
Animal marks, simulation of, 143
Antique finishes, reproduction of, 141-147
Ash, 77

B
Barn lumber, 114-115
Birch
   chemical stain formula for, 130
   finishing problems, 109
   plywood, 13, 100
Birds' eyes, 126
Bleaching, 49-50
Bleeder gun, 62
Bleeding stains, 99
Block cushion grainer, 139-120, 122
Blushing, 88
Brazilwood, 144
Bronze powder, 133, 136-138
Brushes
   air, 63
   chemical staining, 128
   choice of, 52-54
   freehand graining, 124
   gilding, 132
   keeper, 55
   natural, 51-52
   paint, 101
   parts of, 51-53
   stencilling, 138, 139
   synthetic, 52
   use and care of, 54-55
   varnishing, 84-85
Burlap, uses for, 110, 123
Burn-in stick, 43-45
Burnisher, 23-24
Burn marks
   in finished woods, repair of, 42-43
   from planing, 19
   simtlation of, 142-143
Burr, cutting, 23

C
Camel hair, use in brushes, 52, 124
Campeachy wood, 144
Carvings, penetrating finishes and, 79-80
Catalysts, 93-95
Caustic soda, 129
Cedar, 12, 99, 113
Chemical stains, 11, 126-130
   for antique reproductions,145
   application of, 128
   formulas, 130
   making, chemicals used in,129-130
   mixing of, 128
Cherry
   penetrating finishes and, 81
   veneer, 69, 70
Cherry-colored stain, 108
Chestnut, 126, 130
Chicory root, 144-145
Chips, planing, 18-20
Cleaners, 39
Closed-grain wood, 13, 69, 70
Coarse-grained wood, 69, 70
Cocobola, 113
Coffee stain, 145
Cold finish, 87
Colors. See also specific colors
   compatible with lime, 147
   mixing formulas, 107-108
   theory of, 105-106
   uniformity, 76
   variations, finishing and, 75, 111-113
Copper sulfate, 130
Crawling, 85-86
Crazing, 40
Cypress, 109

D
Danish oil. See also penetrating finishes
    end grain staining and, 77, 112
    in penetrating oil stain, 72
    rejuvenation of finish, 39-40
    use with oil stains, 110
Deglossing liquid, 101, 103
Dents
    caused by clamping, 25
    in finished woods, repair of, 42-43
    from planing, 19
    simulation of, 142
Distressing, 141-144
Dust
    collection, on orbital sander, 35
    as health hazard, 14-15
    masks, 14-15, 58
    removal, 37-38
    varnish application and, 86
Dyes
    in penetrating oil stains, 72
   vegetable, 144-145
in wood stains, 69-70

E
Ebony colored stains, 108, 130
Enamel, use of term, 96
End grain, staining of, 76-77, 112
Extenders, paint, 97
Exterior protective stains, 104
Eye protection, 15, 127

F
Fillers, 15, 25, 97
Filling
   of defects, 25
   French polishing and, 91-92
   process of, 69, 77-78
Fine-textured wood, 69, 70
Finished woods, cleaning,
    restoring and repairing, 39-46
Finishes. See also specific finishes
   cleaning and rejuvenating, 39-46
   penetrating, 79-83
   removal of, 46-50
   worn spots, repair of, 43-42
Fir
   bleeding of, 99
   chemical stain formula, 130
   finishing of, 109-111
   plywood, 13, 100
Fish Eyes, 85-86
Flitch, 13
Floors, choice of paint for, 101
Fly specks, duplication of, 143
French polishing, 91-93

G
Gesso, 132
Gilder's tip, 132
Gilding, 131-134
Glazes, for antique reproductions, 145
Glazing, 74-75, 133
Gloves, use of, 15, 127
Glue
   application of, 24-25
   removal, 24
   spots, 16, 24
   spreader, sawtooth, 123
Gold leaf, 131-133, 139
Gouges, 19, 42-43
Grain
   change in direction, planing and, 17
   formation of pattern, 12
   raised, 20
       avoidance in chemical
       staining, 128
       from jointer, 20
       by pigmented latex stain, 72
       by planing, 19
       by water-based primers, 99
   reflection, 112-113
Graining combs, 123
Graining stain, 119
Gum, chemical stain for, 130

H
Hand-rubbed finishes, 115-117
Hardeners, 93-95
Hard felt block, 115
Hardwoods, 14, 109
Heartwood,l4
Heat, finish removal and, 47-48
Hemlock, 109
Hot finish, 87
Hue, 105, 111-112

I
Ink spots, duplication of,143-144
Iron and iron compounds, 24, 129-130

J
Japan colors, 106
Japan drier, 106, 107
Joints, clamping and gluing of, 24-25
Jointers, 19-20

K
Knots, 14, 21, 94

L
Lacquer
   application of, 54, 86-88
   hand-rubbing and, 115
   paint, 100-101
   preparation of surface for, 31
   shading stain, 107, 110
   spot finishing, 41
Lacquer thinner, 45, 46, 88
Lap marks, 101
Lead, content in paints, 96-97
Lignum vitae, 113
Lime, slaked or hydrated, 146-147
Linseed oil
   in exterior protective stains,104
   finish on antique furniture, 145-146
   oil-based paints and, 95
   penetrating oil finish and, 81
   pigmented oil stain mixing and, 106, 107
   use in paints, 98
Lithopone, 97
Logwood extract, 144
Lumber, cutting of, 12

M
Mahogany
   bleeding of, 99
   open-grain of, 77
   tannin level, 126, 129
Mahogany-colored stain, 108,130
Maple-colored stain, 108, 130
Masks, for wood finishing,14-15, 58
Megilp, 119
Mica, 97
Mildew, 103
Milk paint, 146-147
Mill marks, 17-21
Mineral spirits, 99
Mouldings, 33, 100

N
Nail holes, filling of, 25
Non-grain-raising stain (NGR), 74, 76

O
Oak
    chemical stain formulas, 130
    fumed, 128
    grain of, 77
    quarter-sawed, ray pattern of, 13
    tannin level, 126, 129
Oak-colored stain, 108
Oils. See also Danish oil; tung oil
    in paints, 98
    paraffin, 115-116
    penetrating, 80-81
Oil stains
    application technique, 76
    filling and, 78
    penetrating, 72
    pigmented, 70-71
       application of, 76
       mixing of, 106, 107
Oily woods, finishing of, 113
Open-grained wood
   defined, 13, 69, 70
   filling of, 77-78, 81
Orange peel finish, 66
Overgraining, 124-125
Oxalic acid, 49-50
Ox hair, 52
Oxidation, 82

P
Pad applicators
   for French polishing, 91
   paint, 101
   for staining, 56-57, 76
Paint, 95-103
   application of, 101-102
   choice of wood for, 99-100
   ingredients, 95-99
   problems, 102-104
   specific applications, 100-101
   stencilling, 138-139
Palmetto, 52
Pantograph, 135
Particle board, 100, 118
Paste filler, 77-78, 84
Penetrating oil, 79-83. See also Danish oil; tung oil
Penetrating oil stairr, 111
Pigments
   color mixing formulas and, 107-108
in paint, 96, 97
in stains, 69
Pine
   chemical stain formulas, 130
   finishing of, 109-111
   furniture, choice of paint for, 100
Pine colored stain, 108
Plain-sawed lumber, 12, 13
Planing, 16-24
Plywood, 13, 16, 100
Polish, furniture, 40
Polymerization, 93
Polyurethane, 84, 98
Power sanders, 33-36, 46
Pressure regulator, 60
Primer, 99, 103
Propane torches, 44, 47
Pumice
   use in filling, 82, 83, 101
   use in hand-rubbing, 83, 101,
   water mark removal and, 41
Putty, wood, 25, 43

Q
Quarter-sawed lumber, 12, 13

R
Random marks, duplication of, 144
Ray marker, 123-124
Redwood, 99
Resins, 93-98
Respirators
   air supplied, 14-15
   for spraying, 58, 59
   use in chemical staining, 127
Ripples, 66
Rosewood, 113
Rotary cutting, 13
Rottenstone
   hand-rubbing and, 115-117
   lacquer, use with, 101
   varnishes, use with, 83
   water mark removal and, 41
Rough wood, finishing of, 113-114
Rubbing Compounds, 101,116-117
Rubbing oil, 115
Runs, finishing, 66, 86

S
Sable, use in brushmaking, 52
Safety precautions
   chemical stains, 127
   general, 14-15
   for penetrating oils, 82
   for power sanders, 31
   removal of finishes by heat,
       47
   spray equipment, 57-59
Sags, finishing, 66, 86
sanders, power, 33-36, 46
Sanding
   following filling, 78
   materials used in, 26-28
   of penetrating finishes, 81
   removal of old finish, 46-47
   sealer, lacquer, 87-88
   techniques, 29-31
   varnish application and, 85
Sanding block, 30
Sandpaper, 26-28
   for hand-rubbed finishes,115, 117
sandpaper finish, 66
Sap streaks, finishing and,111-113
Saws, blade positioning, 12-13
Scrapers, 21-24, 46
Scratches
   repair of, 40-41, 82-83
   reproduction of, 142
Screws, oil spots from, 24
Sealers, 84, 99, 110, 111
Shading stains, 74-75, 110,
Shellac
   application of, 54, 90-93
   choice and purchase of, 88-89
   finish on antique furniture, 146
   hand rubbing and, 115
   mixing of, 89-90
   pigmented, 99
   Use as a sealer, 84, 110
Silicone and wax remover, 39
Silk screening, 139-140
Slivers, prevention of, 114
Snipes, 18-20
Sodium hydroxide, 129
Softwood, 14, 109
Solvents
   brushes for, 51-52
   finishing, 39-40
   lacquer, 87
   for Non-Grain-Raising stain,74
   paint, 98-99
   refinishing method, 45-46
   shellac, 89
   wax, silicone and grease, 39
Spills, duplication of, 144
Spiriting off, 92, 93
Spirit stains, 73-74, 76
Spontaneous combustion, 82
Spot-finishing, 41, 42
Spray equipment
   air, 59-63
   airless, 63-64
   booths, 57-58
   cleaning of, 66-67
   safety precautions, 57-59
Spray guns, 60-64, 67
Spraying techniques, 64-66, 75.
       See also specific finishes
Spruce, 109
Sputtering, 66
Stains. See also specific stains
   antique reproduction,144-145
   application of, 76-77
   mixing of, 104-108
   spot finishing, 41
   types of, 69-75, 104
Steel wool, 81, 101, 117
Stencilling, 134-140
Stripping, chemical agents, 48-49, 86
Stripping, mechanical, 46-48
Surfacing of stock, 16. See also planing
Suspenders, paint, 97

T
Tampico, 52
Tannic acid, 129
Tannin, 14, 126-128
Tea, staining and, 127, 129, 130, 145
Teak, 113
Tear outs, 19
Tempered hardboard, 100
Tinting colors, 106-108
Titanium dioxide, 97, 99
Tobacco stain, 145
Tooth, 99
Top coats, 54, 99
Trees, growth and pore size,12-13
Trim, choice of wood for, 100
Tung oil. See also penetrating finishes
    correction of end grain stain, 112
    in finish restorers, 39
    in paints, 98
    penetrating finishes, 80-81
    in penetrating oil stains, 72
    use as sealer, 109
Tung oil sealer, 80
Turpentine, 106
Two-part finishes, 93-95

V
Varnish
    application of, 54, 57, 84-85
    finish on antique furniture,146
    natural oil, classification of,83-84
    problems, 85-86
    rubbng, 115
    synthetic, 84
    use in bronze powder stencilling, 137-138
Varnish stains, 75, 106
Vegetable stains, 144-145
Venetian gold, 132
Ventilation
   for chemical staining, 129
   chemical stripper usage and, 48-49
   during varnish application, 84
   spraying and, 57-58
Venturi, 62
Vinegar, use in chemical staining, 130
Vinyl, 98

W
Walnut
   grain of, 77
   penetrating finishes and, 81
   staining, 130
   tannin level, 126, 129
   veneer, 69, 70
Walnut colored stain, 108
Walnut husks, stain from, 144
Water marks, refinishing and repair of, 41
Water stain
   application of, 72-73, 76
   mixing of, 107
   for pine or fir, 109, 111
Wax
   filler sticks, 25, 40
   finish on antique furniture,145
    gilding, 113-134
    remover, 39
Weathered grey stains, 108, 130
Wealhered wood, stain for, 114
Whitewood inspection, 38-39
Wiping stain, 70-71, 76
Woods, characteristics of, 11-14.
       See also specific woods and wood processes
Wood dough, 25
Wood for cabinetry, 100
Wood graining
   freehand, 124-125
   technique, 118-119, 122
   tools, 119-124
Wood putty, 25, 43
Wood preparation. See also specific preparation methods
Worm holes, simulation of, 142
Worn edges, simulation of, 143
Worn spots, repair of, 41-42

Z
Zinc oxide, 97