woodfinishing supplies

We inventory a wide assortment of finishing supplies. Though consideration of finish is often an afterthought, a good finish is as important as good lumber, design and craftsmanship. It is wise to choose your finish as part of the initial design process.  While we do carry some easy to use products, it is helpful to remember that wood finishing is a complex subject and a trade in its own right. Different stains and finishes exist because each product has different working, appearance and protective properties. Seek out and study the books by professional finishing masters Bob Flexner, Jeff Jewitt and Michael Dresdner to jump start your learning processes. What follows is a list of what we consider to be basic products;

Transtint dye stains, 19 colors, intermix with water or alcohol, Can be added to lacquer, shellac, water based poly, acrylics and gel mediums and Tried and true oil. Useful for tinting epoxy and non oil based fillers. Will not mix with mineral spirits. Indispensable in complex, layered finish processes.

Dewaxed Seal Coat premixed shellac Shellac is useful for adding depth and seal coats. It is also a beautiful clear finish that dramatically enhances the beauty of many woods. Shellac is somewhat difficult to work with, but very much worth experimenting with. Seal coat Shellac is not water or alcohol resistant, and can be topcoated with almost any topcoat when more protection is needed.

General Finishes Gel Stain and Varnish  We have been selling General Finishes’ Gel Stain and Finish for years with very favorable response. Google the color Java to see how it has become an internet sensation. General Finish gel stains have a high pigment content and are very useful as a glazing stain over dyes or layered with other stain products/ coats. The General Finishes Gel Varnish topcoat contains some polyurethene but does not build  to a thick yellow film like typical brushing oil based polyurethene finishes.

General Finishes’ Water Base Poly General finishes water based polys have a clarity similar to lacquer, are easily applied, and dry quickly. They do little to enhance the beauty of wood so often they are applied over shellac or a well cured oil finish. Transint dyes can be added to give water based the amber color of an oil finish.

Tried and True Oils are non-toxic linseed oil finishes with no solvents or driers. Warm drying temperatures of 70 degrees or above, and thin application of finish are essential to success with these finishes. Danish Oil is a basic flat oil finish and is the easiest to apply and is good for cutting boards and countertops.  Original Wood Finish is an oIl and beeswax mixture that has a little sheen. Varnish Oil is thicker and harder to apply and multiple layers can build to a semi gloss finish. When using any oil finish, be sure to dispose of oily rags promptly and properly.

Watco Danish Oil is a linseed based oil, with thinners and driers added. Watco Natural is a popular finish that gives a natural look and deepens the color of woods. The final finish is flat with no sheen.

Old Fashioned Milk Paint is a true milk paint consisting of casein powder and pigments. Great colors, uneven gritty texture and just plain fun to experiment with.  Best used on new wood - you will likely have unexpected issues if painting over anything but bare wood. To minimize these surprises use the Extra Bond latex modifier and plan on an extra coat or two of paint. MIlk paint is often top-coated with oil, wax, or varnish for protection from dirt and oil. All topcoats will affect the sheen and color in different ways;  making test samples is always a good idea. Milk paint on bare new wood is a fast drying finishes and worth experimenting with if you are seeking unusual effects.

Real Milk Paint another brand of true milk paint consisting of casein powder and pigments.

Epifanes is a line of premium oil based varnishes from Holland. Their flagship high gloss marine varnish is a consistently top rated in tests carried out around the world. We also carry an interior satin rubbed effect varnish that gives a beautiful hand rubbed finish.

Non toxic finishes include pure tung oil, Tried and True oil finishes, Daddy Van’s waxes and milk paint.