What is Best for Finishing Pine Projects?
Being the most affordable wood available, pine is often used for many DIY projects, but what products can be used for finishing and what is best?
02/03/2023
Many DIY enthusiasts enjoy making projects with pine for several reasons: It is extremely affordable when compared to other woods and particularly hardwoods, it is easy to work with, and, with a little imagination and the perfect finishing, pine can look amazing. The trick to working with pine is knowing what you can and cannot do with this softwood and making the most of it. Below are several finishing techniques that can be used on pine to extend its life and give you a piece of furniture that complements your style and your home.
Transform pine furniture into timeless pieces with hardly any effort and using affordable materials. See how Liz Foures transformed this armoire using a whitewash of chalk paint.
lovegrowswild.com
Whitewash
Pine is known to take on a yellow-orange tint over time and it is something that not many people like, nor does it look appealing. Applying a thinned-down whitewash on pine can temper the yellow and leave the wood looking pale and natural. After sanding, wipe the surface of the wood clean and mix white paint and water for a diluted whitewash that can be brushed over the wood. You can control the amount of white by wiping the paint away with a white cloth or applying a second whitewash for a more obvious finish.
Wood stains in various colours replicate the look of exotic timbers for a fraction of the cost, plus you can use wood stain and paint to create the look of aged timbers.
cielo.co.za
Wood Stain
If you are thinking about staining pine, you need to keep in mind that it is a softwood and very absorbent. This means that stain takes easily and can end up darker than originally intended. When using a wood stain on pine, do a test area beforehand so that you can determine if the stain is correct or if you need to alter it. Something to keep in mind if the stain is too dark - you can use the whitewashing method to lighten the overall effect.
Being able to paint pine gives you the freedom to work with specific colours that complement your home and paint techniques to define a style or period.
pineandoak.wales
Paint
Paint and pine have a love-hate relationship in that the wood can sometimes bleed through the paint. What most tend to overlook when painting pine, particularly with water-based paints, is that you need to apply a primer beforehand. With a quality primer and your choice of paint, you can create beautiful effects that add to the natural beauty of wood and transform any pine project into a statement piece.
By using strips of moulding and trim, you can elevate pine furniture from ordinary to extraordinary and also define a style or period.
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Trim and Hardware
It is easy to dress up pine with moulding and trim to transform any piece with very little effort - at very little cost - using a few embellishments. You only need to go onto social media to see that furniture flippers are going all out with pine furniture and even going as far as to turn average pine furniture into stunning pieces. If your local hardware store does not stock what you need, go online to search for accessories to complete your projects.
Just as you would use decor accessories to add finishing touches to a room, so can you use hardware such as handles and knobs to finish off a pine project.
