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 you leave furniture raw without applying a new coat of wax or poly you are taking a risk of your furniture drying out, cracking, swelling or staining. To limit wood damage, preserve furniture AND keep it looking natural you'll want to seal raw wood with Liming or Cerusing wax.
Shellac. In my opinion, shellac is the best natural wood finish for one main reason: it's the most protective natural finish on the market. Unlike other options, shellac forms a barrier on top of the wood, stopping water, dirt, and other things (*cough*crayon*cough) from reaching the pores of the wood.
Your goal with your wood project decides whether you want to use wax or linseed oil. Wax only stops the wood from graying. Linseed oil adds to the wood's beauty. Wax doesn't penetrate the wood, but linseed oil does, offering enhanced wood protection.
Wood Oil: Offering more durability than a wax polish, Wood oils are easy to work with, very easy to repair (sand down scratches then reapply) but they do have slower drying times. Wood Varnish: Forming a seal on the surface of the wood, varnishes are the strongest of all wood finishes.
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.
-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.
Sealers Vs Primers
The best rule to adhere to is to apply at least two coats of sealer directly onto the raw wood. This will protect the wood and create a barrier. Then apply primer to enhance adhesion, return tooth to the surface, and whiten the surface for optimising paint colours you plan to apply over it.
Wood is dried-out and dull if you do not apply some sort of sealer. Staining and finishing are two very different things. By applying pigments, a stain is meant to darken or dye wood, but the wood is not preserved by staining.
Thompson's Water Seal
This is why in most woodworking blogs, their water seal always tops the list of recommended wood sealers. Aside from resisting most types of mold and mildew, it's also long-lasting. So you won't have to worry about reapplying a sealer every couple of years.
A kitchen staple, white vinegar is a natural way to clean a number of items. It is also safe enough to use on unfinished wood, though never apply it straight. It can be used to remove general grime, but also fingerprints and is a natural way to kill bacteria if you do not want to use dish soap.
Tung oil is often recommended as a sealing oil for furniture because it protects the wood from moisture and stains.
Protection for wood decking starts at the first cut. Applying a high-quality end sealer to freshly cut ends of deck boards, protects against drying cracks, splits, water damage & decay.
A staple in many bathroom cabinets, over the years Vaseline has been found to have many uses around the home. * Protect your wooden furniture with Vaseline, in the same way that you would use a wood polish. * Protect your leather couches by applying a small amount to a clean cloth and rubbing it on.
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.
While you might expect it to do nothing or just leave a small stain, rubbing alcohol acts as a solvent when it comes into contact with wood and wood finishes. To understand how big of a problem this is, you need to know what a solvent does. Solvents are designed to liquify wood finishes, including varnishes and stains.
Wood can be left unfinished if it won't encounter weather, water or significant handling.
Untreated wood can last anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on different factors such as the type of wood, the climate, and the level of exposure to the elements. For example, cedar and redwood are naturally resistant to decay and can last up to 20 years or more.
Types of Wax for Wood
Good Ol' Brown Wax excels in removing minor scratches and abrasions from furnishings, while Clear Carnauba Wax works great for sealing surfaces coated with Real Milk Paint.
A great range of clear and coloured formulations. A traditional way to seal and protect wooden surfaces whilst achieving a sympathetic natural finish.
Leave the piece to dry for 15 minutes and then apply further coats of wax with fine 000 steel wool, rubbing with the grain. Build up the finish gradually, leaving each coat to dry overnight. Four to five coats should be enough. For a more lustrous finish, buff the waxed surface with a dry soft cloth.