Skirting, door & architrave finish

[rscho]

Hi forum, we hope you can help bring us up to speed,

We've almost finished replacing our skirting boards, doors & architraves with Tasi Oak/Victorian Ash and are almost ready to begin staining. We'd like to stain a darker shade, approaching a light-medium jarrah to contrast with the walls and floor but are a bit mystified with the range of products available. We'd also like a subtle gloss finish.The door manufacturer specifies an oil based finish, which is OK by us.Can anyone recommend a particular product? How do the oil based products compare with wax, epoxy etc.

Also, we're planning to sand the boards before nailing and finishing them off unless someone can suggest an alternative to nailing. We considered gluing but aren't sure how well the boards would adhere to the solid plaster/bricks given the slight bows etc in some of the walls.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Ian Wells]

For what its worth, I'm doing the same at the moment and have made up a spirit dye based stain and will finish all with a couple of coats of shellac.
I'm using shellac because we are expecting our first little wood monkey and I'm keen not to poison the little blighter or us with VOC's etc. from the proprietary finishes on the market. plus Shellac is easily fixed if the infant decides to test its durability beyond spec.

ian

PS, Ive found the microfibre dishcloths that 3M make are brilliant for rubbing in stain , no lint and they last for ever.

[rscho]

Thanks Ian,

That's basically what we're after, i.e the pro's & cons of the different types of finishes available.

Haven't used shellac before and thought it was only really for furniture so I might have to make up a test piece. Does it seal the timber because the manufacturer of the doors claims the warranty will be void if they're not sealed properly but doesn't actually specify what to use.

At the moment we're leaning towards Cabots Interior Stain and then covering with Cabothane, although the thought of one day having to sand it back to timber to apply something else is a worry!

I think I'll have to do some research on shellac.

[Ian Wells]

Thanks Ian,

That's basically what we're after, i.e the pro's & cons of the different types of finishes available.

Haven't used shellac before and thought it was only really for furniture so I might have to make up a test piece. Does it seal the timber because the manufacturer of the doors claims the warranty will be void if they're not sealed properly but doesn't actually specify what to use.

At the moment we're leaning towards Cabots Interior Stain and then covering with Cabothane, although the thought of one day having to sand it back to timber to apply something else is a worry!

I think I'll have to do some research on shellac.

Shellac is a brilliant sealer, then again what does the manufacturer want you to seal against, locusts,tsunamis etc? Its not going to protect against soaking with water , but very little will
I'd ask them about shellac and if it fulfills their warranty conditions and if not why
A very thin coat of ubeaut wax will help protect the shellac from most indiscretions
cheers
Ian