Hi,
I have built and assembled a loft bed for my son. It is built using pine 2×4’s and 2×6’s. It was getting very cold where we live so I assembled the bed and it is now being used. The original plan was to paint it in the spring but after seeing it assembled everyone decided that they liked the natural look of the pine.
All pieces have been well sanded and are smooth. I am unsure of how to protect the wood. I would like something that is easy to apply and requires little or no sanding and produces minimal fumes.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Replies
Shellac is a good option. No fumes, though you should scuff sand between coats for adheasion. It's easily repaired and renewed in case of damage. You can buy Zinsser's premixed or mix yourself from the flakes. It's the finish of choice on the majority of my pieces.
Adam
Shellac is by far the best choice. First, it is about the only finish that will seal any pitch that you may find exuding from constuction lumber. It's fumes are less noxious than most any other finish, since they are mostly ethanol. There is no lingering odor.
As far as sanding, it does not need sanding for adhesion between coats. Each coat will melt into the lower coats and essentially become one. The only reason you ever need to sand shellac is for appearance, to remove imperfections in the application or to reduce the gloss. The first coat may raise the grain a small amount and that will require some sanding to eliminate.
It dries very quickly. On a project as large as a bed, you can probably apply three coats of 1 1/2 lb. cut shellac in one continuous process, with the place at which you begin being ready to be recoated by the time you have finished the rest. To apply use a cloth pad, wiping quickly and evenly without going back over missed spots or to try to level out overlaps. If you feel the pad start to drag, you are moving too slowly, and need to stop and let the shellac dry some more before continuing.
Shellac, in fact, has fairly intense alcohol fumes while it is being applied, especially on a project as large as a bed. The finish dries very quickly, so the bed would probably be pretty much odor free by bedtime if it was finished in the morning.
John White
True. I guess I was thinking in terms of lasting fumes such is the case with a varnish or lacquer. Good point.
Adam
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