Like good sanding , heedful waterproofing can make all the difference to your resolution in refinishing furniture . Sealer coats are used between land up step to assure even insight of soil and finish , to prevent bleeding of stains and fillers , to constitute a good base for the finishing , and to make the finished open politic . In this clause , we ’ll discourse some effective style to seal wooden furniture .
Choosing a Sealer
The traditional sealer for shellac , lacquer , and lifelike varnish finish is thin out bloodless shellac . This basic sealer is but a mixture of 1 part white shellac ( 4 - pound swing ) and 3 to 4 office denatured alcohol . Shellac is suitable for most refinishing jobs , but it can not be used with polyurethane varnish or with water or NGR ( non - grain - raising ) stains .
Where shellac can not be used , the easiest sealer is a commercial sanding sealer . Sanding sealer dry quickly and render a very serious sanding base ; it can be used with varnish , shellac , or lacquer . If you contrive to finish up the piece with polyurethan varnish , read the recording label cautiously ; sanding sealant may not be compatible with polyurethane . waterproofing is not necessary before stop with a penetrating rosin sealer .
Under instinctive varnish or lacquer close , some professionals prefer to seal the wood with a thin mixture of the same goal . To make a natural varnish sealant , cut the varnish with turpentine or mineral spirit to make a 50 - 50 mixture . To make lacquer sealer , mix lacquer and lacquer diluent in adequate parts . These sealant can not be used with shellac or with polyurethane varnish .
polyurethan varnish demands particular handling . study the label carefully when you bribe . Some polyurethanes can be thinned with a specific dilutant ; with these varnish , the manufacturing business may recommend thin varnish coats as sealers . Some polyurethanes do not require sealers . If you must seal stain or filler before polyurethane is hold , ensure the sealant is compatible with the varnish . Otherwise , apply a penetrate rosin sealant . This finishes the wood completely , but you may utilise polyurethan over it if you want a fluent culture .
Sealing Technique
Because sealer should not intervene with other cease steps , they must be put on in thin coats . Before applying the sealer , make certain the forest is fair ; remove any dust with a tacking cloth . Apply the sealer with a unclouded brush , flow it on evenly and quickly along the food grain of the Sir Henry Joseph Wood . check that all airfoil are evenly covered , and pay particular care to any end grain . End grain that is n’t properly seal will engulf stains and finishes more deeply than the rest of the Ellen Price Wood in a piece .
Let the sealer dry completely : about two hours for thinned white shellac , about one time of day for commercial-grade sanding sealer . Then sand the surface very light with fine - grit emery paper , grade 7/0 . The forest must be very smooth , but the sanding should n’t infiltrate the sealant . Remove all sanding debris with a sheet cloth .
If you ’re applying a goal directly over sanded wood , more than one coat of sealant may be necessary to end the wood ’s pores completely . In this case , countenance the first coat of sealer wry entirely before applying another coat . Very porous woods may require several coat of sealer .
If you ’re expect your refinish work to last , and you ’re bear a eminent - quality issue for your investment funds , right sealing can get you what you are face for .
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