Rubber
gloves
Rags
Paper towels
Q-tips
Tack cloth
Drop cloth
Paint brushes
(bristle and
foam)
#220 & #320
sandpaper
Mineral spirits
Masking Tape
Rev. 8/07
Finishing Hints
Choosing the Finish:
Getting Started
1.
Choose a finish that will meet your expectations for
the product you are finishing. Are you matching
existing furniture or do you want a “natural” finish?
Is the piece to be functional, decorative or both?
The answers to these questions may affect the
type of finish you choose.
1.
Assembly Instructions may contain special
finishing information for that item.
Read both
the Assembly Instructions and these Finishing
Hints completely before beginning.
2.
Sand the entire piece, using #220 grit sandpaper.
Sand with the grain of the wood on flat surfaces
and opposite the grain on turnings. Some parts
are
plywood. Be careful not to sand through the
veneer. End grain (table top ends, seat edges,
grooves on turnings, etc.) accepts more stain.
Extra sanding in these areas with a #320 grit sand-
paper will reduce stain absorption, creating a more
evenly stained piece.
3.
When sanding is completed, wipe the surface of
your furniture with a cloth or tack rag. Make sure
the item is free of dust before proceeding.
2.
Use products of the same brand to ensure compat-
ibility of products.
4.
We recommend using a wood conditioner under oil
base stains.
5.
Work in a well ventilated and well lit area.
3.
ALWAYS
follow the stain manufacturer’s instruc-
tions. Alder is a porous hardwood and often
looks best when following the finishing directions
for softwoods
1.
Read and follow label directions. Stir stain well
before starting.
4.
Q-tips are ideal for hard to reach areas.
5.
Allow to dry thoroughly before proceeding.
2.
Test stain on an inconspicuous spot on your proj-
ect, or use the sample chip if one is provided. The
sample chip must be sanded in the same way as
your furniture kit to ensure the piece will accept the
stain similarly. Put at least one coat of your top coat
over the stain sample, as it also affects the look of
the stain.
Test every type of wood that is in your
kit.
Some of our products include more than one
type of wood, which may react differently to the
stain color. Sample chips for the different woods
may be included. It may be necessary to add a
second coat of stain to lighter woods to match the
darker woods in your kit.
3.
Apply stain with a poly brush or lint-free cloth. Apply
stain over a small area and wipe off excess. Work-
ing in small areas will make the color easier to con-
trol.
1.
Always read and follow all label directions.
Stir
your finish coat gently,
do not shake.
It will create
bubbles that are hard to remove.
2. All surfaces
(including the underside of table tops
and inside drawers)
must be sealed with at least
one layer of a top coat.
This will help minimize
wood swelling, shrinkage, warping and cupping
due to changes in moisture content or temperature.
3.
We recommend that you
apply a minimum of two
coats when using polyurethane or varnish
(especially on all table top and work surfaces).
Sand lightly between coats using a #320 grit sand-
paper or 00 steel wool for the smoothest possible
finish.
4.
Some water-based finishes tend to raise the grain
slightly. This can be easily controlled with this sand-
ing step. However, do not use steel wool when using
water-based finishes. Strands of steel fiber caught
in the wood can cause rust spots when coated with
any water-based product.
1.
For best results when painting, first coat the wood
with a primer. An oil based primer would be best for
a smooth finish. If you do not wish to use a solvent
based primer, a water based primer would work
almost as well.
2.
Buy a quality brand paint. You may use a satin,
semi-gloss, or gloss sheen. Apply a second coat
for a smooth finish. Lightly sand between coats
using a #320 grit sandpaper, so that the second
coat will bond well. Repeat as desired.
3.
Since there is such a variation between paint
manufacturers, refer to your paint supplier for spe-
cific advice on using the paint that you purchase.
Staining
Applying the Top Coat:
Painting:
No top coat is required if using paint.
