Rainguard Wet Look Sealer enhances and rejuvenates surface color and beautifies with a high gloss, "wet look" finish. Wet Look delivers quality protection for the homeowner that is both water-repellent and wear-resistant and yet easy to apply and safe to use.
Varnishes and oils offer a natural-looking wood finish. Varnish, shellac, and lacquer are not easy to apply, but they do offer a deep and rich look. They will also deepen and darken over time. Varnishes are the best choice for high-gloss surfaces.
Add several coats of varnish to wood and it will enhance the natural colour of the timber, delivering a lovely, rich sheen. Varnish protects wood, providing a durable surface that helps to prevent damage and keeps it in good condition. So far, so simple.
Lacquer, specifically pre-catalyzed lacquer, is considered by many professional woodworkers to be the best finish for hardwood furniture, in terms of balance between beauty, protective qualities and ease of application and care.
Varnishes and oils, like tung oil, linseed oil, and danish oil, give the wood a natural appearance and may have a slight yellow or golden tinge. Shellac and lacquers are not as easy to apply as many other wood finishes, but they do give the wood a deep, rich appearance.
The best option is to use a varnish or lacquer to give the wood a high gloss finish. While varnish can be sprayed or brushed on, lacquer is best applied by simple spraying. Spraying makes the surface seem finer than painting as it doesn't leave any strokes behind.
Polyurethane, varnish, and lacquer are tried-and-true sealants with excellent waterproofing properties. For best results, apply the wood finish at room temperature, ideally between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Commonly used wood finishes include wax, shellac, drying oils (such a linseed oil or tung oil) lacquer or paint. Other finishes called "oil finish" or "Danish oil"are actually thin varnishes with a relatively large amount of oil and solvent.
Mix half as much mineral spirits as gloss in a painter's tray. Apply it to the sanded, clean surface of the wood in an even coat with a paintbrush. Apply two coats of polyurethane with a brush. After the seal coat is dry, use a clean brush to evenly apply a coat of undiluted gloss to the surface of the wood.
Different formulations of polyurethane create different levels of luster or sheen, so choose based on your preference. Flat or matte polyurethane leaves the least shiny coating and conveys the look of natural, unfinished wood.
HERE'S HOW:
Pour a small amount of linseed oil onto the wood furniture and wipe over with a rag or soft cloth. The idea is to flood the surface with oil and then give it time to soak into the wood.
Which is better: polyurethane or polycrylic? Polyurethane is better for durability, but polycrylic is better for interior surfaces like cabinets, furniture, and trim. However, for light painted furniture and cabinets, polycyrlic is preferred because it doesn't yellow on the surface.
Over time, your wooden furniture may start to lose the bright shine it had the first day you brought it home. Before you decide to get rid of the piece, know that your wooden furniture can easily be restored with a simple mixture of oil and vinegar.
Pure Tung oil has been popular for thousands of years, thanks to the protective and waterproof finish it creates on wood and other porous surfaces.
Melt 1/2 cup of beeswax in a metal bowl over a pot with hot water in the bottom. Add 1 1/2 cup of Olive Oil to the melted wax and mix well. Pour the mixture into a glass jar and let it harden. When you want to polish the furniture, microwave this mix for 20-30 seconds.
Apply only one thin coat. Then, remove any dust nibs with 1,500-grit sandpaper or a piece of brown paper bag. Finally, using a soft cotton rag or polishing pad, buff the finish to a high shine using automotive paste wax, photo below, which has fine abrasives that polish the finish even further.
If you don't sand between layers of polyurethane, the surface may become streaky or discolored. This formula prevents chemical solvents from bonding to it. Once the first layer of paint is dry, you can apply a second coat to make sure everything remains. Each coat of oil-based polyurethane finishes is applied on top.
Quality. Despite being available in variances, polyurethane is more durable. It is thick and leaves a strong coating. Lacquer is thin and penetrates the wood surface.