Finishing of a wood surface is highly recommended whether it’s a new or an old furniture/sculpture. It protects wood surfaces from moisture and makes its appearance richer and deeper. The wood finish is different than painting in a way that, painting hides the original wooden surface while wood finishes improve the appearance of the surface. The term finish can also represent several coats of finish or an entire build-up of the coating. Below are the most common types of wood finishes.
Surface finish
Leaves a hard, protective film over the top of the wood to create a buffer between the wood and anything it contacts. Generally applied with a brush, the most common types of surface finishes are lacquer, shellac, polyurethane and varnish, which can make the best wood sealants.
Penetrating finish
Infiltrate wood pores and fibers replenishing any lost natural oils leaving a beautiful decorative finish. Penetrating finishes provide a low sheen and take longer to dry than surface finishes. Most are oil-based with the most common types being Danish, Tung oil, and linseed oil.
Wood Dye
Dyes match the existing color or it also changes the color of the surface. Dyes are the kind of wood finishes that are available in both water-based and oil-based types. These wood finishes protect interior wooden surfaces.
Oil finish
Oil wood finishes improve the appearance of unfurnished wood. Natural oils that are present in the wood dries out over time. Oils finishes replace the natural oils and nourish the wood grain. It protects the wood well for internal and external use.
Varnish
Varnishes are made up of oil, solvents, and resins. They are usually clear and transparent. They give a better UV protection. Varnishes dry slowly. Application of the varnish on the top of dyes gives a better protection.
Shellac
Shellac is a natural wax finish which is secreted from a bug which thrives on a tree. A mixture of the collected wax from the tree and an Alcohol solvent gives better consistency. Shellac is available in a variety of colors. It’s easy to apply and dries quickly. It gives a glossy finish to the wood.
Stain
Wood stains change or improves the wood color. They are present in different colors. The wood stains perform better if they are darker than the color of the wood. It increases the visibility of the grains. They don’t protect the wood. Application of wood stain is followed by a coating of wood finish for better protection.
Lacquers
Lacquers are thin solvent based finishes as compared to the other finishes. They are usually applied by spraying. Lacquers dry fast because it contains evaporating the solvent. It riches deeper into the wood and nourishes the grains and bring out the natural beauty of the wood. Lacquers bring a glossy look to the wood.
Water-Based Finish
Water based finishes provide a clean and clear finish and have little odor than the oil based finishes. They are thin in consistency, so they dry easily. They give a natural appearance to the wooden surface. The flexibility of water-based wood finish allows it to adhere to any surface quickly.
French Polish
Since 19th-century, French polishing technique is in use. It is a classic technique of wood finishing. It is a mixture of shellac and alcohol. A rubbing pad lubricated with oil is used for the application of this finish on the wooden surface. It gives the glossiest appearance to a wooden surface.