Polycrylic topcoats are my sealer of choice for most projects, as they don't tend to yellow as often as polyurethane. Clear furniture wax can also be used to seal natural wood projects. Furniture wax provides a soft, silky finish to a piece, which can be lovely.
-If it is a piece that will get a fair amount of use – like a tabletop; apply a coat or two of soft beeswax based paste wax to protect it.
To make wood waterproof naturally, use either polymerized linseed oil or tung oil, which are the two best natural wood waterproofing products. Refined hemp oil and walnut oil can also be used, but you will have to apply a repeat coat more quickly.
And the answer is yes. Sometimes. Wood can be left unfinished if it won't encounter weather, water or significant handling. If your project is placed outside, will be somewhere wet, or will be used on a regular basis, then you should apply wood finish.
Paint Or Seal Unfinished Furniture
Bare wood, when left unfinished, keeps your furniture with a natural wood look but the risk is exposing it to harsh elements, even if it's indoors, such as light, dust, moisture and water damage, making it more susceptible to stains, warping and cracking.
Some say that untreated 2×4's can last up to two years before showing signs of rot and others say it can last even longer. When deciding if you should you use an untreated 2×4 it depends greatly on the application, how much weather and sun it's exposed to and if it's making ground contact.
Sealing your wood isn't necessary, per se, but it does protect your investment. It prevents wood from becoming discolored or stained by liquids and from absorbing water. It can also provide a protective barrier against wear and tear. Sealed wood has a more finished and polished look that many property owners prefer.
Tung oil is often recommended as a sealing oil for furniture because it protects the wood from moisture and stains.
Sealing your outdoor wood once or twice a year - depending on your climate conditions - is important to maintaining the quality, and re-staining helps maintain its style. You could even try different colors of stain for a different look each year.
Sealing or sizing a piece of wood greatly reduces the chance of stains, warping and rotting wood from your paint. Yes, this can happen!
Know When it's Time to Seal
Freshly processed pressure-treated wood won't absorb the sealant well, so it won't be as effective. Thankfully, there's a quick and easy test to see if it's time to add a layer. Simply pour a bit of water on the wood. If it absorbs quickly, then it's ready to be sealed.
Untreated wood is the most susceptible to rot, fungi, and general weathering. It's extremely important that you use a wood preservative first. You can either use a wax enriched preservative for an all-round coating or alternatively use a wax-free preserver if you want to then use a stain or a paint on top.
Use a rag to slowly apply 2-3 coats of the oil, making sure to wipe up excess oil as you go and sand in between coats. To take extra preservation steps, use a "wood preservative," limit the wood's exposure to water and sun, regularly wipe off dirt, stain and paint periodically, and keep the nearby area ventilated.
Varnish is one of the best wood finishes on the market. Not only does it give your furniture and floors a high-glossy appearance, but it also protects your surfaces from scratches, stains, and water damage. While varnish is available in a variety of shades, it is typically clear or has very little color.
To tell if your wood floor is sealed, rub your finger across it. If no mark appears, the floor is surface-sealed. If a mark is left, the floor has been treated with a seal, oil finish or varnish.
2. A second way to test lumber for dryness is put the edge of the wood into a black garbage bag and leave it in the sunlight for an hour or two. A few hours later, open the bag and if there is any condensation on the wood; it's not dry enough yet for stain to be applied.
Even loose lumber not treated in any way will be fine; provided it has an opportunity to dry out before covering with drywall. To minimize and eliminate any potential damage to the material, it is important to remove any standing water on the sub floor. This will help the water to dissipate quicker.
Unfinished wood furniture means the piece of furniture has been put together by craftsman, but still needs a finish (such as stain or varnish) to be applied.
Wet rot is decay that occurs in untreated wood that is routinely exposed to water or high moisture levels. The moist wood attracts a fungus that feeds on it and grows. Although most decks are built with pressure-treated lumber, they can still get wet rot.
Varnish protects wood furniture from sun damage by absorbing UV rays. This will keep the wood from discolouring and extend its life. We advise using marine varnish for outdoor furniture because it is more water-resistant than other types of varnish. For example, spar varnish is the best choice for indoor furniture.
If you are deciding to paint bare wood, you should seal all knots (spot prime) with a shellac based primer. Shellac based primers are great for sealing wood knots and sap streaks. They do carry a pungent odour, but dry very quickly and will not let the knot bleed through the top (finish) coat.