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Under these difficult times, it is often hard for many people to acquire nice furniture for either the home or the unit.
Yet any thrift shop or garage sale piece of furniture can be transformed into a cherished family heirloom, when it is finished properly.
With time, effort, a few simple tools and the appropriate paint, anyone can achieve a professional finishing or refinishing job at home, says the
Australian Paint Manufacturers' Federation Inc.
To complete the project, the process involves a number of separate stages each of which consumes time.
Unlike painting a room in a house, the job cannot be complete in a day. It normally takes the best part of 1-2 weeks.
The APMF offers advice on how to succeed with a wood finishing project:
- Assemble all the necessary tools and materials (don't forget brush cleaning solvents). Be sure to have plenty of newspapers and rags on
hand.
- Remove all hardware or non-fixed ornamentation.
- Read all product labels thoroughly.
- Work safely.
Protect hands with rubber gloves and wear safety goggles when working with caustic products such as paint removers and bleaches or when sanding. Always work outside or in a well ventilated area, away from sparks and open flames.
- Plan your work schedule. Time should be allocated to each stage in the process. These stages should be tackled in the following order:
- STRIPPING remove all old finish from piece of furniture.
- SANDING a smooth surface is necessary for good application.
- STAINING used to colour the wood or emphasise the grain. This stage may also involve bleaching or filling where necessary
- FINISHING added protection for the completed job.
- Dispose of soiled rags and newspapers in covered metal containers kept outside the house.
- Store all unused materials in a safe place.
Restoring old or newly acquired furniture is very satisfying. As well as adding elegance to your home, wood finishing ia an inexpensive luxury.
AUSTRALIAN PAINT MANUFACTURERS FEDERATION
Level 12, 275 Alfred Street, NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2060
Phone: (02) 9922-3955 Fax: ((02) 9929-9743
Contact:Michael Hambrook
(See Contacts Page for more details)
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