Shaker Wood Finishes

We generally use the same method of finishing unless we wish to try out a new finishing process or product. The finishing steps that we use are:

1 ) Our Shaker reproductions are first sanded through 220 grit.
a ) If the Shaker item is to be milk painted then two coats of milk paint are applied.
b ) The copper tacks are scraped clean of milk paint and the item is sanded with 320 grit sandpaper. Special care is taken to sand through the milk paint along the edges and other high areas. This is to give the painted box a worn appearance.
2 ) They are next finished with one coat of Watco® Danish Oil and any excess oil is wiped off after being allowed to soak for 1/2 hours. This darkens cherry wood and gives an aged appearance to maple woods and milk paints.
3 ) Three coats of Deft® spray lacquer is applied to the item. I prefer to use gloss lacquer at this stage as it provides more depth to the final finish.
4 ) The lacquer is allowed to cure for at least 24 hours. 5 ) The item is next sanded with 320 grit sandpaper and the reproduction is thoroughly wiped.
6 ) The box is next signed and numbered.
7 ) Three more coats of Deft® gloss spray lacquer are applied.
8 ) At this point the lacquer is allowed to cure for at least 24 hours.
9 ) The boxes are hand-rubbed with 0000 steel wool.
10) The box is finally buffed on a lathe with a final light coat of carnuba wax.

This is a expensive and time consuming finishing process, but one well worth the effort!