Elisha Albretsen

What Finish Is This?

Elisha Albretsen
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Duration:   2  mins

Description

When a project requires repairing an existing finish or adding to a piece where you want to match the original finish, it would be incredibly helpful to have a record from the original craftsman detailing what finish was used. However, it’s unlikely that you’ll have such a luxury. Even if you are the original craftsman, it can sometimes be hard to recall exactly what finish was applied. So, how can you make an educated guess about the finish on the piece?

First, it helps to consider the most common finishes. If the piece has a film finish (one that forms a layer on top of the wood rather than soaking into it), it’s likely to be one of the following types: shellac, lacquer, or polyurethane. From there, Elisha “The Pneumatic Addict” demonstrates how to use the chemical and resistance properties of each finish to apply a series of simple tests to identify the finish on the piece.

Elisha shows her method for making new wood look old, which involves a few straightforward steps:

Gather the necessary products: Elisha provides details on the materials you’ll need to perform the tests that help identify the finish applied.

Apply chemicals to the finish: Proceed with applying the chemicals one at a time, following the specific order recommended.

Observe the results: Take your time to ensure you allow the expected reaction to occur and carefully watch for any changes.

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