This is the generic approach of how furniture manufacturers approach the process of putting a finish on furniture.
The Furniture Process Outline
- Veneers and solids are hand selected and graded.
- Substrate is sized and trimmed to meet specifications.
- Individual parts are machined and inspected.
- Veneers are prepared with a four step sanding sequence. Solids are prepared with a three step abrasive brushing sequence.
- Parts are assembled and inspected.
- This assembled piece of furniture is then hand sanded, inspected,and prepared for the finishing process.
- If physical distressing is required, it must be executed at this point prior to finishing.
- Sap stain is used to tone down extra light woods. Blow up stain or dark wood equalizer is used for all dark wood discoloration.
- A green tinted equalizing stain is applied on all extreme red veneers and solids to obtain better uniformity.
- A rag sap is used on all light shapes for better color tie in.
- Pre-stain is applied evenly overall for underneath color development.
- Body stain is sprayed uniformly for color depth and consistency.
- A 4% solids washcoat is applied to help seal in color and provide a good sandable surface.
- Pre fill is applied to tops of all pieces to fill open wood pore and provide a smooth surface.
- fill-glaze is sprayed uniformly overall and wiped clean. Surface is brushed in low areas to avoid dark hang-up in shapes.
- Once dried, fill-glaze is highlighted with gray scotch-brite or 180 grit sandpaper to match color standard.
- An 18% solids sealer is applied evenly overall to seal in fill-glaze and to prepare smooth surface for subsequent topcoats.
- Sealer is dried thoroughly and sanded evenly overall.
- Glaze is sprayed overall and wiped leaving a thin film. Surface is brushed to uniform color and wool highlighted for contrast.
- Flyspeck or spatter is applied to simulate antiquing process. Edges are dry brushed for more antiquing.
- First coat of lacquer is applied.
- Hand pad is now executed for final color tie in operation.
- Crayon distressing with brown crayons help with antiquing process.
- Cowtail, another form of antiquing, is applied.
- Second coat of topcoat is applied evenly overall.
- Third and final lacquer topcoat is sprayed evenly overall.
- Once finish has completely dried, it enters the rubbing and packing area.
- Surface is leveled with a 30 lb. Stuhr dual-pad, straight-line, pneumatic rubbing machine, using rubbing lubricants and wet/dry sandpaper. This processcould involve as many as 5 or 6 cutting operations.
- A series of Scotchbrite, rubbing compounds, and polishes are used to remove all sand streaks that remain from the sandpaper. 2 or 3 separate operations may be required to accomplish this.
- Rubbing residue is removed by thorough cleanup.
- At final inspection, all items are heavily scrutinized to assure complete compliance with all requirements and specifications.
- Items are tagged, packed, and readied for immediate shipment.