How to get a flawless wood finish

Building Products Index Ltd Filler 2 Comments

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Wood is a material that’s relied on for both structural and decorative work, and continues to be used extensively in both new builds and refurbishments. Structurally, it’s a very workable and strong material, making it ideal for flooring and roofing, for example. But it’s also appreciated for its natural aesthetic and adds real flourish and character to a property – the reason its used so visibly in interiors and exteriors, think skirting boards, architraves, doors and panelling (a look that’s particularly in at the moment). Getting it to look right, then, can really lift the appearance of a space, whether it’s painted, stained or varnished.

Whilst its rustic look is appreciated in certain settings, such as in the beams of a heritage property, wood can also be used for high impact finishes where it needs to be flawlessly smooth. Front doors are one such example where a high wood finish can make a real statement, particularly when overcoated with a high gloss paint. To achieve this look, the wood needs to be rid of any imperfections and the best way to do this is with a fine finishing filler.

How to do it

Mark Warneke, Toupret’s Technical Manager, outlines how to carry out the work with the help of Toupret Fine Finish Wood Filler, a product designed to create the ultimate finish to all interior and exterior wood.

“First, prepare the surface as you usually would, sanding back the wood and ensuring that it is hard, cohesive, clean, sound and dry. If the wood is damp, treat it with a product such as Toupret’s Wood Hardener, and use a wood repair filler, if needed, to fill any deeper cracks and gaps or to shape and repair any broken or damaged sections. Don’t worry about very small defects and pitting as these will be covered by the product anyway.

“Once dry, or if the wood is already in good condition, prime the surface with paint and let it dry.

“Next, with a filling knife (or blade for larger areas), apply Fine Finish Wood Filler to the surface and smooth it out across the wood so that you’re applying a layer no thicker than 1mm. 450g should cover 1m².”

Fine Finish Wood Filler is a fast-drying product and is compatible with all paints and coatings, meaning you can apply your desired topcoat just an hour later, and with a gloss paint, the effect once dry is a true mirror-finish.

What makes Fine Finish Wood Filler so suited to this type of work is not only that it is fast drying, and able to achieve a finish that looks like glass, but that it can be used both inside and out and is also flexible. And as wood is a living material that expands and contracts with changes in temperature, this means your finish is more resistant to cracking.

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