I need to finish the interior of several new windows and their interior trim. The interior of the windows and the trim are pine. The contractor who did the installation used more filler than I like to make the trim appear to have tight joints and to fill irregularly spaced nails. I do not want to paint.
Did this once before, but I was starting with a better quality of installation. Then I dampened with mineral spirits, applied gell stain, then finished with a Verathane oil finish. The mineral spirits controlled blotching. Not sure if they even make the oil finish anymore.
My first thought was to use thin shellac, gell stain and then shellac, but I have been told that temperature variation and the possability of moisture makes this a poor choice. Now considering using Epifanes Rubbed Effect Finish: first a thinned coat, then gell stain, then additional coats of finish. Pricey and may take a lot of coats.
If you have suggestions for anoother approach or product I would appreciate your thoughts. PLEASE. I really need foolproof, or at least easy to fix.
Replies
Steve's Questions
I live in Connecticut. Cold in winter, hot in summer. The windows are double hung, double-pane, with gas between. Two windows face south. Two face eat. The east facing windowsare protected by a significant overhang, but will catch light fromn the south facing windows.
Having the double pane windows will reduce the UV content of the light significantly, likely enough to make a clear finish viable,. I like the idea of using Epifanes products as they are among the best made varnishes around. However, I would recommend a different product than the one you mention. I would use Epifanes Wood Finish Matte, which does have UV protection characteristics instead of the Epifanes Rubbed Effect varnish. Yes, these varnishes cost more, but they are also worth more, probably cost effective over time.
By the way, the manufacturer's directions do call for more coats than other brands, buyt that's not because these are somehow3 inferior and need more coats, just that the Epifanes doesn't pull punches to try to make you think that two coats is enough when real protection is needed.
Stain
I think Epifanes recommends 4 coats of gloss and 1 coat of matte. Allowing the recommended 24 hours between recoats means the sashes will be out of their windows for 5 days, without even considering stain. Guess, if the weather does not cooperate, I can apply 2 or 3 coats, put them back and finish later. Worst case would be that I would have to sand. May happpen anyway, if I don't order enough varnish.
Do you see any problem with my applying gell stain after the first, (thinned) coat of finish? (The only other time I have done this, I wet the surface of the pine with mineral spirits, then applied gell stain to the wet surface. Worked ok. Then finished with 2 coats of a Verathane oil finish. Also worked ok, although these windows will get more use and abuse.) Any suggestion as to gell stain brand or tips, for a beginner, on applying the stain and finish?
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