Two day woodfinishing course

Being a competent furniture maker is very much about attention to detail in the construction process, however many woodworkers let themselves down with their finish. This two day course addresses how to get a high quality finish even without spraying facilities or using some of the very hard wearing yet toxic products on the market.  

You will make six Ash wood sample pieces and apply different finishes to each one. They will demonstrate four different sheen levels (ultra matt, matt, satin and gloss) and will incorporate both interior and exterior finishes as well as water based, oil and wax finishes. You will prepare a grain filled sample, thus creating a “flat finish”, choosing a colour to either blend with the Ash or contrast thereby creating a decorative feature. You will also create a stained sample, choosing from a selection of colours.

The course will mix practical with theory; choosing the finish should be based not only on aesthetic factors but also the level of protection required. Surface preparation is a key component in achieving good results both before the first coat, or in between coats. This includes dealing with minor repairs to the surface before applying the finish, looking at the use of wax sticks, graining pens and also pigmented fillers. It also covers selecting the correct sanding and buffing products based not only on the finish you are looking to achieve but also the wood species you are working with.

The assumption is that you already have some experience in using both wood planes and a cabinet scraper, and is therefore not suitable for a complete beginner.

Whilst the more complex topic of French polishing will not be covered in the course, we will be using a spirit based sanding sealer (closely related to French polish) as part of surface preparation for different scenarios.

We will also look at chemical stains and in particular the process of ebonising oak (creating a rich dark black colour), using the inherent properties of the wood itself to create a colour rather than relying purely on a wood dye.

We will also touch on areas that can’t be practiced in full due to either time constraints of slow drying products or the limitations of working with non-toxic products.  These include an explanation of how to achieve a mirror finish, which includes understanding what is happening to the surface at a microscopic level.

The two day course is limited to three students per class and I require a minimum of two students for the course to run. It is priced at £320/student or £600 for a two student booking. If you are interested in booking please get in touch, indicating if you are available midweek and /or weekends and I will pair you up with other students with similar requirements.