Surface Preparation & Finishing

A smoothing plane can be used to give a clean smooth surface, although a scraper may be required for difficult hardwoods where the grain is interlocked, or where there are knots. A scraper is a very simple tool to use. The blade which is ground on the long edge of the scraper is placed on the wood, and with pressure applied to the centre of the scraper with your thumbs, it is pushed away from you along the wood, removing fine shavings as it goes.

Wood stopping is a natural, solvent-based wood pulp used for filling holes, cracks and gaps in unfinished wood. It is quick drying and can be drilled and sanded when dry. It is available in a wide range of colours and it is important to select the colour that is closest to the colour of the wood.

Wood filler is a water-based filler used to fill and repair surface damage to wood. It is quick-drying and can be drilled and sanded when dry. Wood filler is suitable for both interior and exterior use and can be stained, waxed or varnished. Just like wood stopper, it is available in a wide range of colours and it is important to select the colour that is closest to the colour of the wood.

ABRASIVE TYPES

Although abrasive paper is commonly referred to as sandpaper, the two main types of abrasive paper used for woodworking are glass paper and garnet paper. Glass paper consists of pieces of crushed glass glued onto a backing paper, whereas garnet paper consists of pieces of crushed natural hard-wearing stone glued onto backing paper and is therefore longer lasting. 

ABRASIVE GRADES

Both glass paper and garnet paper are available in a range of grades: fine, medium & coarse. Abrasive paper is graded based upon the size of grit that has been glued onto the backing paper; the lower the number, the more coarse the grit.

• Grit 220, 180, 150- Final step before finishing and sanding down between coats of varnish.

• Grit 120, 100- Preparing for finishing

• Grit 80, 60, 40- Fast removal of rough material and imperfections.

WORKING THROUGH THE GRADES

When sanding wood with an abrasive paper, it is important to start with the most suitable grade of abrasive. This will depend on the amount of imperfections to be removed, although it's normally a fairly coarse grade such as 60 or 80 grit. Next, systematically work through the grades until the surface is smooth and flat. 

SANDING WITH THE GRAIN

For the best results when sanding flat surfaces, you should wrap the abrasive paper round a sanding block and sand with the grain. The sanding block should be held flat on the surface, and with an even, steady pressure being applied, it should be worked back and forth along the grain. Any movement across the grain of the wood can leave deep scratches on the surface of the wood which can be difficult to remove.

STAIN

Stain is used to change the colour of wood while allowing the grain to still be visible. Most stain finishes are not water-resistant and will require a further finish such as varnish that will seal and protect the wood from moisture. Stain can be apllied using either a brush or a cloth. Stain can be used to make a cheap wood look like one which is more expensive.

 OIL

Oil finishes such as Danish oil, linseed oil and olive(vegetable) oil are quick and easy to apply with either a brush or a cloth and provide a natural looking finish that enhances the grain of the wood. Although the three types of oil finish are suitable for both interior and exterior use, Danish oil provides the most durable finish and is the best choice. Olive oil is colourless and has no odour, and for that reason, is frequently used on wooden products which come into contact with food. To maintain a protective coating an oil finish will require regular application around every 6 months.

An oil finish has endless applications including food preparation surfaces, sports equipment such as cricket bats, kithen utensils, garden furniture, musical instrucments, children's toys, wooden doors and wood turning projects.

WAX

A wax finish is used to achieve a smooth, silky, protective surface on a wooden workpiece. It produces a matt finish which allows the natural grain structure of the wood to be seen. Although applying was directly onto bare wood will provide a light protective layer to the wood, to create an extra protective barrier to the workpiece, it is recommended that the wood is initially sealed with sanding sealer before being waxed. The purpose of applying the sanding sealer is to seal the pores of the wood to give a smooth, even surface for top coats of wax.

Wax is a very easy finish to apply. Using steel wood, a thin coat of wax is rubbed into the wood in a circular motion, before being left to dry for around 30mins. Once dry, the surface of the wood can then be polished using a soft cloth. Just like an oil finish, to maintain a protective coating, a wax finish will require regular reapplication around every 6 months.

VARNISH

Varnish produces a hard-wearing, durable, clear protective finish to wood that will be used either internally or externally. It is well suited to high-wear areas such as dining tables, floors and skirting boards due to the high level of protection it offers from stains, scuffs and scratches. Varnish is applied using a brush or cloth. To achieve a high-quality finish, it is recommended that at least 3 coats of varnish are applied, and between each coat, once it's fully dried, the surface should be rubbed down with either a fine abrasive paper or steel wool. Once complete, a varnished surface will last for years and require very little maintenance.