How to Apply Finishing Compound to Wood Furniture

Properly applied, finishing compound brings out the richness and the depth of almost any real wood surface. Applying finishing compound can be time consuming and requires a considerable amount of "elbow grease" but it is basically a simple procedure that any homeowner can use to bring out the rich luster of almost any piece of wood in the home.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Finishing compound
• Rags

How to Apply Finishing Compound to Wood Furniture

1. A good finishing compound contains pumice. Squirt a good quantity of finishing compound onto the surface of the wood you intend to restore. If you are restoring a particularly large surface, work in a three-foot-square area at one time, overlapping your work areas slightly.

2. Using a soft and clean rag, rub your compound with the grain of the wood (never rub in a circular motion). When you first begin rubbing your compound it will form a milky film over your project. Continue rubbing with the grain until the compound appears to vanish almost completely. This can take a considerable amount of "elbow grease."

3. Now, using a new clean rag continue rubbing the wood with the grain until all finishing compound is gone. Carefully go over the edges of your piece and wipe away any excess compound.When covering a large surface overlap sections so you do not have lines in your work showing where one section ends and another begins.

Tips & Warnings

• Always, always, always rub wood finishing compound with the grain. Never rub across the grain or in a circular motion.