Harold Hall

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Cabinet Making

Wax. This again is quick and easy to apply but giving very little protection against heat and damp. When used on its own it gives a low gloss finish. Application sequence is similar to applying oil as above though a cloth must be used rather than a brush.

French Polish. This is a long standing method of finishing furniture and is capable of giving a very high gloss. It is though a skilled and laborious task and I feel only to be used in special cases, restoration work typically. If you want to give it a try then I would suggest getting a book or a video on the subject. Whilst standing up to minor knocks quite well it has poor protection against heat and applied moister. Having said it is a skilled task it should not be impossible for those willing to spend a few hours conquering it.

Lacquer. This is a rather loose term for a range of polishes applied in basically the same manner, spray or brush. Protection against heat and damp is good as is durability. The major difference between types is in the carrier used, solvent or water. Solvent lacquers in the main perform slightly better but their major advantage is in the ease with which repairs can be made, including faults occurring at the finishing stage.

If applying by brush the speed with which the solvent evaporates means that speed is an important factor. However, if a run occurs, a rub down with 400 grit paper will remove the fault fully especially if finally finished with a 0000 steel wool impregnated with a wax polish. Solvent lacquers however are becoming less acceptable due to the environmental concerns regarding the solvent used.

The active ingredient in these will be either pre-catalysed cellulose, acid catalysed melamine, or polyurethane in the solvent types and Acrylic or polyurethane when water based.

Polyurethane types will be the easiest to obtain being usually available from local DIY superstores and as they perform well would seem a reasonable first choice for the average application.

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Lacquers are freely available in three finishes gloss, semi gloss and matt, but purchasing from a specialist supplier may provide a range around 8 finishes between gloss and matt. Prior to applying a lacquer it is preferable to apply a  "sanding sealer". To ensure compatibility, of the same make as the lacquer itself. Between the "sanding sealer" and each coat of lacquer the surface should be lightly sanded with 400 grit abrasive paper to remove  trapped dust particles, called de-nibbing. The final coat should be treated similarly, then lightly burnished with a wad of 0000 grade wire wool impregnated with a suitable wax polish. Dust particles produced by the sanding process should always be removed using a  "Tack" cloth prior to applying an additional coat as your average duster will still leave particles on the surface.  

Adhesives

Rather like finishes, there are only a small number of adhesive types though available with small variations and from a range of manufactures but for the vast majority of the applications these small differences can be ignored.

Modern adhesives are capable in a well-made joint of achieving a bond that is stronger than the timber itself. This though assumes an "edge to edge" or "face to face" joint is being made and that the faces mate accurately. If though one, or both, faces are end grain, then some additional strengthening will be required. This can be in the form of dowels, biscuits or, if you are a glutton for punishment, dovetail joints. Biscuits are a small piece of beech, oval shaped, which is entered into semicircular slots in both halves of the joint.

PVA (polyvinyl acetate) This is without doubt the preferable adhesive for the majority of applications encountered by the occasional woodworker. Its main drawback is that the bond starts to be made quite rapidly, a few minutes maximum. If therefore the bond is disturbed whilst making further joints it will result in a much weakened joint. It is not ideal therefore for use when gluing up complex assemblies such as a cabinet carcass with fitted back panel and shelves.