Finishing
Information
These are kits that require finish sanding, finishing and assembly before
use. No cutting or drilling is required. My fixture sets are a solid investment
that will last more than a lifetime if they are properly finished and
cared for. Almost any finish can be applied. I like Deft
Satin Brushing Lacquer for furniture but you can also use latex, enamel,
polyurethane, Danish oil, any rattle can paint or other finish that will work on wood which is just about
everything available. The fact is I don't know of any finish that
can't be used on wood.
I do not recommend water-based finishes however. I'm saying that
having never used any so it's entirely possible I don't know what I'm
talking about. I just wouldn't tempt fate because it's not hard to
warp plywood. If you do use a water-based finish I would apply each
coat to the entire fixture rather than coating one side and letting it dry
before coating the other side. You can either run a wire through one
of the holes, use
painters pyramids or make a
board with screws driven up through it to rest the fixture on while it
dries. I made a set of these and they're nice to have around.
You'll just need to make them smaller.
Once the fixtures are finished they are stable and won't warp.
The included fixture set instructions also detail my technique for applying
a furniture lacquer finish.
I have recently discovered a finish I like even better than lacquer for use
on hardwood pieces.
It is the simplest thing imaginable to apply, looks extremely good and is
non-toxic. It is a wipe-on finish made of linseed oil and beeswax
called Tried & True Original Wood Finish. The finish feels
"waxed" all the time.
I purchased mine from
Lee Valley Tools but it is available from other places. It's
pricey but a little goes a long way. One pint of it can easily finish
any fixture set listed here several times over.
You might not like it on the plywood fixtures. On hardwood the finish
soaks very deep into the wood. Because plywood is cross-grain every
other lamination with a glue layer in between the oil doesn't soak in
evenly. It tends to darken edges of the outer lamination end grain.
The other thing it does is run along the grain between holes in the fixtures
leaving dark streaks along the line of drilled holes.
Some people will like that look and others won't. If you really care
then you should get a scrap piece of plywood, drill a few holes in it,
finish sand it then apply the finish. Wait a few days before you
decide. The edges will continue to change color while the oil cures so
you may even want to wait a couple weeks before you decide if you'll like
that look.
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