Paints, Stains & More!

When it comes to finishing a piece of furniture, there are a wide variety of finishes available, depending on the intended use and desired outcome.  This introductory blog is designed to be number one in a series to discuss the benefits and drawback of different finishes.  This series will cover everything from painting plastics to finishing fine hardwoods.  We’ll be discussing the right finish for outdoor use of poly finishes to highly dirt and oil resistant paints that are an excellent choice for mud rooms, utility rooms that get heavy use or kids rooms were wax crayon’s are a typical culprit.

Today’s lesson will begin with a short discussion on the use of enamel spray paints used on hardware for exterior use.  I’ll begin with an example.  My brother built a simple wood lean-to for storage of shovels and garden supplies.  He wanted to give the structure a weathered look, but didn’t want the screws and hardware staining his wood.  If he would have used plain steel hardware and screws that would eventually rust and leave stains on his nice lean to.  Being the persnickety person he is, took the five pounds of screws, two hinges, and door hardware, sprayed them with a gray primer.  He then gave them a second and third coat of brown enamel spray paint.  It was amazing how well the screws held the paint and left a stain free lean-to when done.  Cost for the extra protection was only about $10.  A bargain considering the paint and the good looks will last for years!

My Right Hand Tool

I've been asked, what tool do you reach for most? Well, the block plane is never far, but the tool I'm likely to reach for is a well honed chisel. This tool makes it possible for tight fitting joints and just to take off a sliver more when no other tool can do. It is equally important to keep chisel razor sharp to perform at it's best. Hone on!

Santa Fe Style Bench

This Santa Fe Style bench is constructed of 4" x 4" timber base and with 2" x 8" lateral backing and seat.  The bench is approximately 6' in length and is hand carved with a Zia symbol branded into the upper back support.  The enter bench is made of recycled timber with large dowels at each joint. Accent carving was hand painted in turquoise.  When constructed, it was stained with 50% black stain and thinned to give it evenly aged look and sealed with a satin poly.  The bench is very comfortable to sit on and my family uses it daily at our kitchen table.


Santa Fe Style (Skira Library of Architecture) 
Spanish Mission style Santa Fe Depot architectural detail in San Diego, California - 16"x20" - Fine-Art Gicle Photographic Print by Carol M. Highsmith 

Set-Up Measuring Tool

Woodworking is a tool intense trade or hobby with ruled strait edges for every possible situation.  Pictured above are just some commonly used squares used for measuring, laying out and scribing cut lines and assembly.  My favorite is the small pocket square, shown on the left side of the photo, fits nicely in to a pocket, and is graduated for fine layout marking.  Fully adjustable it is excellent for smaller work and is remarkably square.

Grizzly H7553 6" Adjustable Double Square 
Adjustable Combination Square 12" 

Office Book Shelves

Several years ago we moved into our home and it had this hideous office with plaid green carpet, dark avocado walls and cheap brass lighting fixtures.  It did however have some redeeming qualities, including French doors, large in size (14’ x 12’), and two large north facing windows.  We tore out the carpet and replaced it with engineered bamboo, painted the walls a light wheat colors with two accent walls, the color of Merlot wine.  We had a boat load of books that have been read, and some day to be read. We needed a home for them.  In came the office bookshelves pictured above.  There are two matching bookshelves on opposite walls in the office.  Made of simple pine, these book shelves are mounted to the walls and uprights were stained with a crimson stain/poly and the shelves were stained a cornflower color to match the bamboo flooring.  They both are about eight feet in length and six and a half feet tall.  Perfect for displaying our reference material, literature, and collections from our travels.  
Mission Shelf -36"- Solid Oak with Plate Shelf (Choose Your Custom Stain Option)