Towne Furniture - Finishing Instructions

Towne Furniture

Finishing Instructions

If you have any questions, or need help, call us at 425-885-7797

Sand the piece well with 220 grit sandpaper. Make sure to sand with the grain.
Brush the piece off to remove the sanding dust.
Liberally apply coat of stain with sponge brush.
Let the wood absorb the stain for minute or so, then wipe off. The longer you let the stain sit before wiping off, the darker the color will come out. DO NOT let the stain dry.
Let stain dry 24 hours.
Apply coat of clear finish with sponge brush.
Wipe off the clear finishes like you wiped off the stain, but don't wait quite as long.
Let finish dry 24 hours.
Smooth the piece by sanding with 400 grit sand paper.
Repeat steps 6 through 9 until the piece has developed your preferred luster (usually 3-4 coats.)
After the final coat of clear finish is dry, sand lightly with 400 grit sandpaper like before, then use a polish such as Howard's Orange Oil to remove the dust

Stir all products well before applying! Do not shake.
Old T-shirts work great for wiping cloths, they are a lint-free material.
When sanding, or wiping off stain/clear finish, always go with the grain of the wood.
Foam brushes are disposable and can't be cleaned, but they will last for your entire project. To keep them from drying out between coats, put them in a ziplock bag and place them in the refrigerator.
You can substitute #0000 steel wool in the place of the 400 grit sandpaper when smoothing between coats of clear finish. This is easier on items like chairs with small rungs or slats. DO NOT use steel wool on water based finishes, it will result in rust residue.
Wear old clothes and some kind of rubber gloves when working on a peice. Common latex gloves are too thin and will tear, use someting thicker like a dishwashing glove.
Regardless of whether the product you are using is oil or water based, always do the finishing in a well ventilated area.
Most problems can be avoided by not trying to "rush." Take your time.
Finishing furniture is more fun if you have a partner to work with. Recruit your friends, spouse, kids, or siblings!