I have designed and made my first picture frame out of pine. I applied 2 coats of ebony minwax stain. I want the rather dull finish which looks great, as is. However, do I need to apply some type of finish coat to protect the frame? And if so, do I apply this finish to the all surfaces of the entire frame? Thanks, in advance, for any advice.
Happy Holidays! Jim
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I would apply a top coat of some sort. The binder in the stain that holds the pigment onto the wood is a very thin varnish and not very durable at all. Shellac would protect the stain, and after several coats it could be rubbed out to a satin finish with grey synthetic steel wool pads. Or, you could use a satin varnish.
yes, by all means top coat it. Some stains (like the Minwax polyshades) combine a polyurethane with the stain, so additional topcoating is not needed. Otherwise you should consider a topcoat; shellac, varnish or lacquer all work, just choose what you like to work with the most.
If you like the way it looks now, leave it. Almost any other topcoat will give a sheen, and you say you like the matte nature (my word) now. The frame isn't going to see any 'wear". If you like it, leave it.
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