Finishing Instructions
Surface Preparation: Unfinished furniture comes from the factory sanded smooth, but still needs to be sanded with #180 or #220 grit paper to insure the surfaces are clean and free of oils.
1) Sand in the direction of the grain.
2) Remove all dust by vacuuming or wiping with a clean cloth. Do not use tac cloths they contain linseed oil which will affect the finish.
Applying Stain: Before you begin staining,(or when starting a new tin of stain) test the color on the underside of the project to insure that the color is what you want (or that it is the same as the last tin). If you are concerned with blotching or inconsistent staining on softer woods, use the "Natural" stain as a pre-stain conditioner. (Apply in the same manner as the color stains, as follows)
1) Stir stain well.
2) Apply with a foam brush, a cloth or a handi-painter. Apply a wet, liberal coat. It is essential to use liberal amounts of stain to insure easy workability. If too little stain is used, the surface can dry too quickly causing an uneven appearance.
3) Divide your project into manageable sections (top, side, door).
4) Stain a complete section and wipe off the excess evenly in the direction of the grain using a clean cloth. Check for missed spots and overlap marks before moving to the next section. You have a little more than 10 minutes to correct a problem.
Allow 2-4 hours drying time under normal conditions.
Once the staining process is complete and the wood is the color and darkness desired, protect the wood against drying, cracking and warping with one of the following finishes. Please note, even if you are leaving the wood its natural color and are not applying a stain, one of the following finishes should still be applied to protect the wood
Applying Polyacrylic Top Coats: Available as Gloss, Semi-Gloss or Satin. Can be applied over a stain or directly on bare wood after surface preparation.
1) Stir container well to insure that all the ingredients are mixed together. Failure to do so may produce an inconsistent finish. Do not shake.
2) Apply with a foam brush or handi-painter.
3) Apply liberally by using smooth even strokes going in the direction of the grain. Use enough material to provide a wet film. Do not over brush. The Polyacrylic will level out by itself.
4) Allow 2-4 hours drying time under normal conditions.
5) Once dry, sand with #320 grit or finer and remove all dust with a clean cloth. Do not use steel wool to sand as particles left behind will rust in the next coat of polyacrylic. Do not use tac cloths, they contain linseed oil which will affect the finish.
6) Apply a total minimum of 3 coats with sanding in between.
With patience and care, you can achieve professional results that will last for years!