Once upon a time, filling nail holes, mending cracks or removing scratches from your wood furniture was typically a time-consuming chore. Now you can handle these tasks in just a matter of minutes and for a very low cost with colored wax filler sticks. There is no need to strip the existing finish or sand the surface before making repairs with the sticks. Continue reading Colored Wax for Furniture Cracks
Staining wood furniture is an art, and it is not an art form that is achieved the same way for each person. Many people argue whether sponges or bristled brushes are better for staining wood, and some people prefer brushes. However, sponges are often preferred by people who are beginners or those who want to make it easier to create an even finish. Sponges do not leave the same types of streaks that some brushes leave, and they can also be used to create an added marbled look to certain types of wood. In some cases, they provide a better overall finish. For example, pine wood soaks up stain quickly, so a sponge or foam brush will give it the most even look.
Although regular sponges are still used for staining wood, foam sponge brushes are the most common choice. These are sponges that are shaped and come in different sizes. The tips are usually tapered to a point. To choose the right type of sponge, think about the size of the wood surface. If it is long and wide, a bigger sponge is better. For pieces of wood with smaller surfaces or intricate details, a much smaller and more tapered sponge is better. Also, look at the surface of the sponge. For the most even results, the porous surface should have small openings. If they are spaced far apart, this can result in blotches. To create a more marbled look, some people may prefer handheld sponges.
Sponges can be purchased in most home improvement stores. It may be harder to find the smaller sponges or foam brushes in these stores, so look in an art supply shop if necessary. Most major home improvement and art supply retailers sell these items online as well.
The cost of sponges will vary depending on their size and quality. Expect to spend anywhere between $1 and $20 depending on specifications. Online stores normally add shipping charges. A high-quality sponge can be reused for several projects if it is cleaned and cared for properly.
It is difficult to remove the stain from sponges, but they are cheap enough that most people buy new ones for each project. However, people who regularly stain furniture may choose to soak their sponges in turpentine or mineral spirits before rinsing them well with water. Sponges should be stored away from sunlight in a sealed bag if they will be reused. The bag will prevent dirt and other debris from collecting on them.
Wood veneering is the process of gluing thin pieces of wood to thicker, more solid pieces of wood, often called base wood or substrate. This base wood is usually made of particle board or plywood. Veneers are frequently made from expensive wood such as mahogany or maple. Veneers also give the appearance of expensive decorative wood but are less costly compared to crafting the furniture from solid pieces of lumber. Continue reading How to Properly Apply Wood Veneers
The best brushes for staining furniture are those that work on multiple furniture projects. Brushes are the most versatile stain applicator. They’re used to apply clear, semi-transparent or semi-solid viscous stains. Brushes are used to apply solid color stains over previous coats of paint or solid stains. Brushes can be used to apply stains to raw new surfaces or those previously stains. Brushes allow for greater application control and offer deep penetration of stain into wood pores. Continue reading Best Brushes For Staining
Quality High, Price Low – DIY on a Budget
Houses quickly become outdated or tired and are left in the same state for many years purely because the cost of upgrading or renovating is just too high. Sure, regular cleaning and the odd addition here or there might keep it looking fresh, but some areas of the home just cannot be improved without some proper work. Continue reading DIY on a Budget
Cleaning wooden furniture is important if you want to make them last longer. There are many different wood cleaning products available on the market today, each having their own advantages and disadvantages. Continue reading Wood Cleaning Products for Furniture
Wood is a popular choice for flooring because it’s beautiful, timeless, and classy. Nowadays, wood flooring can be divided into two types: hardwood and laminate flooring. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each will help you choose which is best for your home. Continue reading Laminate vs Hardwood Flooring
Sanding is a common refinishing task that just isn’t very practical when refinishing hardwood floors. It’s tedious and will create a lot of dust. Fortunately, you can refinish hardwood floors without sanding by buffing or mopping first instead.
Step 1: Clean the floor thoroughly: Sweep and vacuum up all the dirt and make sure loose pieces of resin are peeled off. Once there are no loose particles or dirt anymore, use a wet cloth to wipe the floor and then let it dry. If the floor is covered with carpet, remove the carpet and use a scraper and a solvent to remove the glue and tacking strips. You can try using peanut butter to remove the glue, but Goo Gone® works better. Goo Gone® can damage your floors though, so only use a little bit and remember to test on a small area first! Continue reading How to Refinish Hardwood Floors Without Sanding
Learning how to construct wood joints is very important not only for wood professionals but also for do-it-yourselfers. Every wood project needs a wood joint at one point or another. It would therefore be very beneficial to know the different types of wood joints and how to construct them in case you want to make your own wooden furniture or if an existing one gets damaged. Continue reading Different Types of Wood Joints
Clamps are very important tools in woodworking. In fact, they are often considered an extra pair of hands. Learning about the different clamps for wood can make woodworking much easier. Continue reading Best Clamps for Woodworking
