(BPT) – From your first meal as a married couple at your oak dining table, to enjoying a glass of lemonade with your grandchildren on your pine kitchen stools – your most cherished memories are made at home.
‘Families have so many pieces of wooden furnishings in their homes that are meaningful to them,’ says wood finishing expert Bruce Johnson, spokesperson for Minwax. ‘If you don’t yet have a piece like this in your family, it’s easy to make something unique out of wood, whether it be a new item or upcycling something old.’
If you’re looking to protect a piece of your family’s history or create something of your very own, it’s important to take steps to care for your wooden furniture. Johnson and the experts at Minwax offer some guidelines for preserving valued wooden pieces as well as creating your own personal items with love
* If the clear finish on the piece is still in good shape, you can preserve its beauty with a high-quality paste wax like Minwax Paste Finishing Wax. At least once a year, use a very soft cloth to apply the wax a little at a time. Rub gently with the grain of the wood, spreading a thin, even coat of wax to seal and protect the wood.
* To apply a new finish on an existing piece, you’ll need to remove the old one first. Choose a well-ventilated but low-traffic area in which to work. The temperature in your work area should stay higher than 65 degrees, and humidity should stay around 50 percent to help facilitate drying throughout the process. Consider using a solvent that removes the finish and conditions the wood at the same time, such as Minwax Antique Furniture Refinisher. Wear rubber gloves and use fine steel wool to gently rub in small circles until the old finish is removed. Once the old finish is removed, it’s important to protect the surface. Try using a one-step stain and finish such as Minwax PolyShades. It combines beautiful rich color and long-lasting polyurethane protection in one easy step. You can apply it on top of an existing polyurethane finish or on bare wood.
*If you’re taking on your first wood-finishing project and you want to create something to last for generations to come, try using a beautiful traditional wood stain. Minwax Wood Finish is an oil based stain that comes in a variety of gorgeous colors, creating a rich, appealing color in a single coat. For darker, richer hues, apply a second coat, allowing the piece to dry completely between coats, according to label directions. When you’re done staining and the piece is completely dry, don’t forget to protect it with a clear finish such as Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane.
Minwax recently launched the “Made With Love. Finished With Minwax” campaign, which celebrates the meaningful stories captured and preserved through building, personalizing and gifting items from the heart. The movement aims to empower inspired DIYers to get started on new projects that will be cherished by future generations. For more tips on caring for, staining and finishing your wooden furniture and more, watch a variety of the latest how-to videos from Minwax. For inspiration and project ideas for completing your next wood finishing project, visit www.Minwax.com/MadeWithLove.