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Special effects achieved during the finishing process are becoming a much greater portion of the overall market share in recent years. With consumers, designers and architects looking for ways to distinguish themselves from their counterparts, many have turned to faux finishes and special techniques. Many times the addition of one or two additional steps in the finishing process can create a look that enhances the appeal of the finished product.

The “burnished” look described in the steps below is a popular method of adding color to achieve a richer look to the wood than a conventional one-step stain process can achieve. This process can be used on an entire project or limited to accent pieces, depending on the look that is desired.

1. This method can be used with virtually any wood substrate depending on the overall look desired. Our choice for this look begins with a well sanded cherry substrate to which we applied a wine colored waterborne spray stain, box coated, to achieve the base color that was desired. Material was allowed to dry for one hour.

2. This step was a clear self-seal waterborne material applied as a wash coat (reduced 25 percent with water) in two passes (relatively wet), and allowed to air dry for approximately one hour. Dry times will vary due to ambient air conditions at the time of finishing and will have a direct effect on the actual time that is required for the material to dry.

3. When the material is dry, scuff sand the wash coat with 320- to 400-grit stearated sandpaper. The wine colored waterborne wiping stain is then applied with a double pass, this again being a fairly wet coat of material. Stain is then wiped relatively clean, brush blended in the raised areas and allowed to air dry for one hour.

4. A coat of a clear self-seal waterborne material is applied and allowed to air dry for one hour.

5. After scuff sanding the sealer with 320- to 400-grit stearated sandpaper, a tack cloth is used to clean the entire surface to eliminate any fine dirt or dust particulates remaining that could possibly contaminate the surface. At this point a fast drying burnish coat is sprayed on the edges only (unless a different look is desired) and allowed to dry for 15 minutes.

6. A final application of the waterborne topcoat material is applied in a box coated pattern and allowed to dry overnight.

This installment was provided by Becker Acroma, a wood coating solutions provider. For more information on re-creating this or other special effects on wood, please contact Ken Johnston at ken_johnston@beckeracromainc.com or call (519) 758-1508.