How to Finish Burled Walnut

Burled walnut is a great wood for veneer.

Burled walnut is a strong wood used for the interior design on many modern luxury vehicles. The burled walnut wood is a medium to dark brown colored wood. When cut, it's taken from the base of the tree where various sizes of burls form natural stylish sunbursts or rings in the pattern of the grain. These small imperfections in the wood are thought to be very elegant and because no two grains look the same.

Things You'll Need

• 120-grit sandpaper
• 220-grit sandpaper
• Wood stain
• Paint sticks
• Semigloss or gloss finish
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Sand the surface of the burled walnut wood using 120-grit sandpaper. Sand any imperfections on the wood's surface that may effect the finish. Apply pressure to the sand paper using long, straight strokes following the grain of the wood. Use 220-grit sandpaper to finely sand the smooth surface of the wood. Wipe the surface clean with a dry, clean cloth dampened with mineral spirits.

2. Apply stain to the burled wood. Thoroughly mix the stain with a paint stick. Apply an even coat of stain to the surface of your burled walnut wood using a paintbrush to apply an even coat. Allow the stain to sit and soak into the wood for roughly 15 minutes. Wipe the stain from the surface of the wood while the stain is still wet. Wipe along with the grain of the wood until the excess stain has been removed.

3. Apply a semigloss or gloss finish to the burled wood. Gently mix the finish using a paint stick. Dip a clean paintbrush into the finish and apply an even coat on the surface of the wood. Brush along with the grain, stroking from end to end. Allow six to eight hours for the finish to dry before adding a second coat. Allow the finish to dry completely for 24 hours before use.

Tips & Warnings

• Occasionally stir the stain while you're applying it so that the color remains even.

• Don't over stir the finish because this can create bubbles in the finish that can transfer and appear on the wood.

References

• Wood Finishing 101: The Step-by-Step Guide: Bob Flexner; 2011