What're some different ways to treat unfinished wooden furniture?

Question

Aside from just a stain, what are some good ways to finish furniture (mostly pine) so that it won't collect as much dust & will be easy to clean? I don't want a thick varnish like you'd use for outdoor furniture - I'd like it to look nice. I know to sand it and prep it, just not sure what to use next. Do you have any tips? Thanks!

Answer 1

If you are into colors, you can use RIT fabric dye to stain your furniture with, then go with a matte or gloss finish.  I use 1 package of RIT dye in a medium saucepan full of water.  You can make it as light or dark a finish as you want.  It dries pretty quickly between coats so in an afternoon you can have a finished product.  There are so many colors to choose from and a lot cheaper than dyed stains on the shelves.

Answer 2

What with modern wood finishing products these days (and I've tried a LOT of them) there's two that I fall back on most...there's a water based polyurethane at about $9.00 a quart, in both satin and gloss that is fast drying with no (or very little) odor...several coats with fine grit sandpaper between...and you get an excellant finish...water and stain resistent...

The finish I prefer...if I have the time and desire to do it...is the old fashioned Butchers wax....stain the unfinished piece the shade you want...then from there it's mainly elbow grease...I had a coffee table I made twenty years ago with 6 coats of the butchers wax on it and the finish stayed with just regular dusting...I love the stuff for "good" pieces...and people jst don't seem to appreciate the good ole hand finished products today.

have fun

Answer 3

Keep it a light color, and polyurethane it.   It'll be hard to dust otherwise. You can try Minwax "Polyshades" which is stain and polyurethane in one.  Or you can stain it, let it dry thoroughly, and spray-can it with clear laquer.

However you choose to finish it, give it a final sanding with some 220 grit sandpaper.

Good Luck

Answer 4

you can use a clearcoat polyurethene if you want the natural look, or you can use what is called a nitrous cellulose finish which is less expensive. make sure you seal it first however.

good luck, i'm sure it will look nice