
7 minute read
Hardwood finish pnmer
II'ARDWOODS are among the Ilmost beartiful and versatile natural materials available. Their warmth and beauty can be further enhanced by applying some type of finish. The best finish for a particular hardwood, like color, is a matter of personal opinion. If applied correctly, most modern finishes will enhance the wood and protect it for many years.
Story at a Glance
How haldwoods benefit from proper finishing ... eramining the
A common misconception about wood finish is that it will hide flaws in the wood. Yeg acually, the opposite is true - finish makes flaws more noticeable. So regardless of the finish use4 the wood surface should be as free as possible from any imperfections before applying the finish.
Though manufacturers typically use a fine grit paper in final sanding, this should not be considered a finish sand. End users should apply a finish sand before finish, removing any gouges, rough spots, scratches or lorn grain. The beginner or non-professional can start with a good peneEating oil, such as Danish oil, particular- ly when the wood is to be left in its natural state. ls the stain uniform and wellblended?
When working with a panel face composed of multiple pieces of veneer, a good sealer should be applied before staining to avoid a "balber pole" effect. Additionally, both sides should be sealed to avoid an unbalanced condition that could result in cupplng or warping.
A quality finish adds depth, richness and clarity to the hardwood. Poor finishes look dull,flat and unnahral. But you can tell as much by touch as you can by sight. To examine a finish, run your fingers over the surface.
Are surfaces smooth and free of drips, runs and bubbles?
Are comers free of srealcs and finish material?
Is the wood grain enhanced?
On furniture, are hard-to-reach areas (near joints or carvings) smooth, evenly sAined and ftee of glue?
A furniure finish, fr exanrple, can involve anywhere from three ta 25 or more steps, including the initial sanding, rubbing, glazing and highlighting grain patterns. Furniture in general use must be polished O seal the pores of the wood, protect the surfaces, accentuate and enhance the beauty of the figure, create highlights and provide as much resistance against heat or split liquids as possible.
Types of finish include:
The Merchant Magazlne
. Wax polish (the softened wax penetrates the wood surface and enhances the figure, giving it great depth and wannth).
Oil polish (applied in thin layers, oil - often linseed - absorbs oxygen, dries and fonns a light protective film on it).
. Varnishes (combinations of oils and resins for simultaneously protecting wood and improving beauty).
French polish (a specialist craft using shellac, alcohol, oil and pumice).
Lacquers (nitro-cellulose, synthetic, acid catalyst and polyurethane).
Wood stains (while the most troublesome to apply, water, spirit/alcohol or oil-based stains penetrate fafuly deeply and yield the clearest finish).
Finish Maintenance
. Dust with a soft cloth, following the grain pattern of the wood.
. Dust often with a lightlymoistened cloth to remove everyday abrasive particles from wood surfaces. A dry cloth can leave hairline scratches on the finish.
. Surfaces may also be cleaned with a mild non-alkaline soap and water using a damp sponge or cloth. Dry immediately with a soft cloth and buff lightly, following the grain.
Wood finishes benefit from an occasional waxing or polishing.
WHOLESALE LUMBER & PLYWOOD
rr SANDED - SHEATHING. OSB - PARTICLEBOARD - STUDS - LATTICE O'rr prNE BoAHDs - TREATED LANDscApE TTMBERS - REDwooD & cEDAR FENcING
Mill directs and distribution sales. Carloads, truckloads or units.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (goe) 369-8010
FAX (909) 36e3e46
2929 Kansas Avenue, Riverside, CA 92507
P.O.Box 20092, Riverside 9251 6
.Mondo olElry oJi6 of16pft
Matc Mike 'George " Lu
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (800) 326-0288
Marc Spitz
INTERNATIONAL SALES (So. Calif. Office)
. LupeTurner. Armando Chavez
EL PASO. TEXAS, OFFICE (91s) 54s-1997
FAX (e15) 54$1989
Hector Azurmendi
Hablamos Espafiol
PHITIPPI]IE MAHOGA]IY
RADIUS EDGE DECKING FEATURES / BENEFITS

O SOURCED FBOM WELL-MANAGED PERMANENT FORESTS o NATURAL & 1{01{-run0-Does not require pressure treating. o LONG LENGTHS-Maximum '10% 6' andT' developing, balance B - 20 o EXGELIEI{T STREIIGTH T0 WEIGHT RATI0Use 5/4 vs. 8/4 in other species. o RUGGED PRODUCT-More durable than softwoods in transit and on the job site. o LEGEilDARY DURABILITY-Resistant to rot, decay, insect attack and splitting; "The boat builder's woodl' o EXCELLENT PAll{T & STAIN H0LDING GHARACTERISTICS. o WEAfiERS WELL-Properly sealed lumber remains smooth; no raised grain; Raw lumber ages to lustrous silver color. o GOI{TAINS l{0 S0LUBLE TA]{1{11{S THAT CAUSE BLACK STAII{ o COllSTAl{T SUPPLYStateside inventories.
'ReJer to "Reliance" brochure
Tile Like A Pro
"Professional Tiling," a 283-p. paperback step-by-step guide to ceramic tile insrallation is $5 from MacMillan Publishing Co., 866 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. to022.
Wide Selection For Storage
A 24-p. storage systems catalog is free from Sunbelt Material Handling, Inc., l(D27 Crabapple Rd., Ste. 101, Roswell, Ga. 3fi)75; (4o4) 587 -5933.
Concrete Epoxy System
A brochure on adhesive systems for concrete/masonry is free from Simpson Strong-Tie, 4637 Chabot Dr., Ste. 200, Pleasanton, Ca. 94588; (800) 999-5099.
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"Competing With the Mass Merchandisers," a five-video series presented by Dr. Kenneth E. Stone, is $249 from Insignia Systems, 10801 Red Circle Dr., Minnetonka, Mn. 55343; (612) 930-8200. Tapes include "Emergence of the Mass Merchandisers," "Impact of Mass Merchandisers on local Markets." "Merchandising Tips to Combat the Mass Merchandisers' Low Price Image," "Marketing That's In Tune with Today's Customers" and "Customer Relations and Service Strategies That Boost Buyer Satisfaction and loyalty."
Deck Squares
A booklet on Deck-rative Squares, 2'x2' pre*rfi wood squares easily assembled into patios, walkways, flooring and decks, is free from Bean Lumber Co., Box 200, Glenwood, k.71943; (501) 3564t65.
Rack Supported Buildings
A rack supported buildings brochure is free from National Store Fixtures, 5950 Symphony Woods Rd., Columbia, Md. 210aa; (800) 638-7941.
GET YOUR COPY of any New Literatue items by contacting each company directly. Please mention you saw it in
Dealing Redwood
The Redwood Dealer's File, a ring binder packed with sales and promotional ideas, conshuction tip sheets, plus info on redwood properties, uses, fastenings and finishes, is $18 from Califomia Redwood Association, 405 Enfrente Dr., Ste. 200, Novato, Ca. 94949 : (415) 382-M62.
MOVE
TO TIIE HIGH-GROWTII Inland
Northwest: Spokane Building Supply seeks salespeople with moulding, millwak and window experience. Good compensation and benefits. Please send resumd cy'o Tom Vincent, Spokane Building Supply, 10310 E. Montgomery, Spokane, Wa. 99203.
LLJMBER SALES: Robins llmber Sales is looking for an experienced lumber salesperson with main emphasis on Industrial/Low Grade Lumber Sales. Greater Southern California area. Reply in confidence. Send rcsume to Robbins Lumber Sales, Inc., P.O. Box 757, Fontana, CL9n34, or call Rick Rot$ins, (909) 829-314t.

LIIMBER/TRUSS SALES: Growing contractor sales company seeking aggressive, experienced salespersons. Base salary plus commission, excellent benefits, car, and erpenses. Send resume to P.O. Box 60369, Bakersfield, Ca" 93386.
PAN PACIflC Forest hoducts is looking for professional forest products traders in the following locations: Lake Oswego, Eugene, Bend, Or., and Modesto, Ca. Full benefits. Excellent opportunity with a well established company. If you want to have fun while you work and earn a higher income, then call Ron Hanson at (503) 389-6100.
GROWING WHOLESALE lumber distributor seeking experienced, aggressive salesperson for Northern & Cenral California areas. Greal opportunity for qualified self-starter. Send resum6 to Reid &Wright, Inc., P.O. Box 518, Shingle Springs , Ca.956E2.
TURNER 48" Model E Resaw and adjustable infe€d. All electrics, hydraulic drive, excellent condition. $15,000. Jenkins Model 90 Double End Tenoner. Opens to I ft- $8,5m. Contact Vern Ingham, Capital Lumber Co., QOl) 4337470.
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2) Hl50 F Perkins Diesel, Side Shift, $11,500. Both good running condition. FOB Fort Bragg, Ca. Phone (916) 7 43-3269. Fred Holnres' TH 30'x40'x10' r li 94,195
Twenty-five (25) words for $21. Each additional word 700. Phone number counts as one word. Address counts as six words. Headlines and centered copy ea. line: 36. Box numbers and special borders: 36ea. Col. inch rate: $45 camera ready. $55 ifwe set the type. Names ofadvertisers using a box number cannol b€ released. Address replies to box number shown in ad in care of The Merchent M[rzine, ,l5lXl Cempus Dr., Suite 'ltl]. NetPort Berch' Cr. 92660. Make checks payable.toTheMerchentMqezlne. Mail copytoaboveaddressorcall (714) 852-1990. Deadline for copy is the 22nd of the month. PAYMENT MUST ACCOMPANY COPY unless vou have established credit with us.
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E Radio War
LUMBER YARD & BUILDING SUPPLY FOR SALE; oWNER WILL CARRY
FIRST TRUST DEED. Southern California South Bay location, going concern for almost 50 years. Land, buildings, equipment and inventory. Owner retiring. For information and price, please call Unden Wood, Star Real Estale, (714) 968-U56 ext.242i please leave message.
SAWMILL 30' r 80'. all steel on concrete foundation. Hydraulic log deck, log turner, Berry carriage feed, live rolls, transfer chain and trimmer. 100 HP 56" Circle head rig. 60 HP Edger. l0 HP Trimmer. 100 HP Montgomery BloHog. 20 HP 4" can resaw. Currently sawing Cedar 4x4,2r.4 and lx4. Equipment - 9668 and 922 Cat Loaders. Orofino, Idaho. (208) 476,1693. $250,m0.
WEATHERED OR TWISTED LUMBER. Plywood blows, shop and nims. Carl Hanson, (619) 661-2510, FAX 619-661-5547, San Diego.
LOCAL LUMBER hauling Santhern California roller bed truck and trailers and bobtails radio dispatdred. Rail car unloading at orr strr in Long Beaclr, Ca. 3-CTrucking, Qrc) 42' 0426.
\-{ California Lumber
L I Inspection Service
Certified Agency
L.A. (7t4) 962-9994
'si. i,idii i\r-zsoo Sacramento (o16)?22-2500
Portland, Or. (503) 223'6105
P.O. Box 6989. San Josc, Ca' 95150
TIMBER SIZER PRE-FABRICATION
Timbers
From cutting a wedge to pre-fab'd crane pads or mine shafts' Angle cut, cross cut, drilling, dapping-rVe'll do them all to customer specification.
Drawer 4779, Arcatr, Ca.95521
707-822-3648 l(C.ls Cdp....-.....-.. i(cy{,ihr'}i;il;;. - *-..-.:.liiixi'diiJii'ti l-m Stabn Vrnaa Lmbc Co................................... tqlJd|a-Padlc Dktbuton C€nlf.............................

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