Environmentally Friendly Finishes
Our selection of wood finishes is largely dependent upon the look and feel we require for a particular gift or award. We use environmentally-friendly water-based finishes or natural, non-toxic shellacs. Getting environmentally friendly finishes to dry in humid Virginia has been one of our ongoing challenges. As we have learned, wood finishing is both an art and a science.
In 2006, we introduced Safecoat® primers and finishes. You can learn more about these environmentally friendly finishes from AFM.
Walnut Oil Primer
We prime our wood products with walnut oil that enhances natural wood grains and provides a water-repellant finish. We use Spectrum 100% Expeller-Pressed Naturally Refined Walnut Oil that we purchase at a local natural foods market (and, yes, we use it for salads too!).
Hardwood Oil Finishes & Natural Pigments
After priming, we apply a deep penetrating vegetable oil and tree resin blend that enhances wood grain and makes wood surfaces resistant to water and dirt. The finish contains light purified linseed oil, orange peel oil, and lead-free dryers.
We hand paint many of our recycled wood products to provide a more polished presentation. We use natural water and oil soluble pigments (powders extracted from earth, rock, and minerals). We mix pigments with natural water or oil finishes. More information is available from our supplier, Bioshield.
Beeswax Top Coat
As a final touch on some hand-finished products, we hand rub a topcoat of fine beeswax. Our beeswax finish is sometimes referred to as a salad bowl finish, because, in addition to providing a soft sheen and an elegant look, the finish is actually edible. For more information on our beeswax finish, please check with our supplier, Clapham's.
