My move to oil finishes paid off big time

I used to spray lacquer on all my furniture jobs. It was fast, but the finish looked too shiny and fake. Six months ago, I switched to hand-rubbing oil finishes. It takes longer, but the wood looks so much better. The grain shows through with a rich, warm glow. My customers have noticed and keep coming back. I feel proud of my work now. This small change made a huge difference in my trade.

4 comments

4 Comments

the_harper1mo ago

That's a great result from changing your process. What does your hand-rubbing routine look like now, like how many coats do you typically do and how long do you let it dry between them?

the_finley1mo ago

Hey @the_harper, I usually do three thin coats, waiting about two hours between each. What I've found is that rubbing in small circles with the grain really helps the finish settle, something most folks overlook.

bell.jessica18d ago

Yeah, the small circles with the grain thing is key. I started doing that after my third coat of tung oil on a walnut table. I used a super fine 0000 steel wool pad for the rub, barely any pressure, and it gave it this crazy deep shine without feeling plasticky.

gracej991mo ago

Honestly, I switched to oil finishes last year and it made my work look so much more authentic. Tbh, that hand-rubbed glow is totally worth the extra time.