Applying Stain and Finish Coatings
Filling cracks
  1. Rub crack filler into any cracks or openings in joints.
  2. Smooth the filler with your finger to be flush with adjoining surfaces.
  3. Let dry for at least 30 minues.
  4. Finish sand the filled areas.
  5. Repeat if filled surfaces are not even with adjoining surfaces.
Final sanding and raising the grain
  1. Sand all surfaces to 220 grain smoothness.
  2. Lightly dampen all surfaces.
  3. When dry finish sand with 220 grain paper to remove fiber ends.
  4. Wipe the box with a lightly dampened towel to remove all dust.
  5. Allow to dry.
Staining the wood
  1. If you want a natural finish on your wood, skip the staining step.
  2. Lay out polyethylene film on surface where you will apply finish.
  3. Choose oil stain. Carefully open can without bending lid.
  4. Use a sponge brush to apply stain to you wood. Remove surplus stain by wiping the brush on the edge of the can. Brush with the grain. Brush toward ends, not over ends.
  5. If you want only a light color, wipe off excess stain with a paper towel. Dispose of towels in an appropriate container.
  6. Replace lid on stain by pressing the whole lid. Do NOT hammer the lid with a hammer or screwdriver.
  7. Wash out sponge brush with mineral spirits. Dry with a paper towel. Put towel in appropriate container.
  8. Allow stain to dry 24 hours.
Applying a seal coating.
  1. Wipe the box clean with a dampened towel.
  2. Put down polyethylene film under the work area.
  3. Open the polyurethane finish container.
  4. Find a couple of scrap pieces to support the box after finish is applied.
  5. Use a bristle brush to apply polyurethane. Dip the brush about 1/3 the way into the finish. Shake the brush slightly in a vertical motion to remove excess finsih. Do not wipe brush over edge of container as this will add air bubbles to the finish. Brush toward edges. Brush with the grain. In general, apply a freshly filled brush in a spot away from finished areas, and brush toward the finished area.
  6. When finished, close the container. Wash the brush in water. Dry the brush with a paper towel.
  7. Dispose of any waste in an appropriate container.
  8. Allow the seal coating to dry 24 hours.
Applying second coating.
  1. Rub the box down with steel wool to smooth the surface.
  2. Wipe the box clean with a dampened towel.
  3. Put down polyethylene film under the work area.
  4. Repeat the steps for applying a seal coating.
  5. Find a couple of scrap pieces to support the box after finish is applied. Allow to dry 24 hours.
  6. Dispose of any waste in an appropriate container.
Smoothing the second coat of finish
  1. Rub the surface smooth with steel wool.
  2. Wipe the box clean with a dampened towel.
Darrow's Hudson Web Page
Top
January 05, 2006