The Wood Vault
The Wood Vault
Wood Finishing Tips & Techniques
Updated May 2nd, 2026 | KJP Select Hardwoods Wood Finishing Tips & Techniques Wood Finishing Techniques to Make Your Projects Shine! When it comes to woodworking, the finishing touches are some of the most important. After all, what’s a beautiful walnut table if it’s covered in scratches and patchy finish? That’s why we’re here to help!Finishing the wood in your next project not only enhances the beauty and luster of the wood, but it also serves to protect and seal the wood to increase its lifespan. Without finishing, wood can warp or cup, suffer scratches and dents from even some light bumps, and will slowly lose its colour and beauty. In order to have a finished product that’s eye-catching and durable, choosing the right type of finishing agent is imperative. We will be discussing: Types of Wood Finishes Preparation Tips Applying Finishes What is Wood Finishing? Wood finishing is the process of modifying or enhancing the surface of wood material in order to protect it or improve its appearance. Finishing wood is essential for those wanting to make furniture, cabinetry, crafts, and other wood-related projects that look professional. Types of Wood Finishes Especially in the modern days of online shopping, sometimes the amount of options we now have at our fingertips can be overwhelming. It can be difficult to navigate the vast types and colours of finishes, so we’ve broken them down into three main categories: Clear Coat, Stain, and Lacquers. Clear Coat Finishes Clear coat finishes are fairly self-explanatory. They add a layer of protection to the wood without altering its natural colouring. While natural finishes do tend to darken and enhance the colour of the wood, it does not change the hues present in the wood itself. These types of finishes can be natural (ex. beeswax or oil) or synthetic (ex. varnish or oil). While these finishes will always be clear, they can change the base of the finish, making it matte, glossy, or satin. Stains Most stain finishes are created with pigments intended to change the colour of the wood. While the majority of stain finishes come in natural shades (ex. walnut or cherry) you can also find stains with more unique hues, such as blue or green. Stains are generally a synthetic product made from a number of different binders, pigments, and carrier agents to deliver a strong level of protection and colour to your next project. Lacquers Lacquer finishes are popular primarily because of the protection they provide against moisture. Particularly when used on tabletops or chairs, lacquers protect against spills or drips, and create a smooth, shiny surface that can be wiped clean. Unlike stains or oil-based finishes, lacquer creates a film on top of your wood instead of penetrating and sealing it. Lacquers most often come in a spray-on format, and leave a shiny finish that resists yellowing over time. Preparation Tips for Wood Finishing Before you start any wood finishing project, it is important to properly prepare the surface of the wood to ensure a clean, smooth finished product. This includes sanding your project, cleaning off any dust particles, and making sure there are no rough edges. You’ll want to start sanding with a coarse grit of sandpaper, working your way up to a fine grit of your choice. We recommend vacuuming your project, then also cleaning the wood with raw wood cleaner, like RMC Cleaner from Rubio Monocoat. Some woodworkers argue that the sanding and cleaning process is even more important to the finished look of your product than applying the finishing agent itself, so it’s best to take your time and not cut any corners. Applying Wood Finishing Products Once your project is sanded smooth, clean, and has had time to fully dry, it’s time to tackle the final stage of finishing - applying the finish itself. While there are many excellent finishing projects on the market, we at KJP Select Hardwoods have two top favourites: Rubio Monocoat and Osmo. While we recommend these brands, each product has its own set of application guidelines, so we won’t be breaking down each individual step of application. Another important aspect of choosing a finishing product is taking into consideration the use of the product itself. If you’re finishing something that’s going to be used outdoors, it’s important to select a finish that has water and moisture resistance. If you’re finishing something like a cutting board, it’s important to choose a finish that is certified to be food safe, or one that is all-natural. For projects that will be in contact with food, we generally recommend Honey Bee’s Natural Wood Cream. Other Professional Wood Finishing Techniques If you want to achieve professional-looking results with your wood finishing projects, there are a few extra steps you can take. Start by sealing off your work area by taping off any surfaces nearby that could be affected by the finish. This is especially important if you’re working in an area that tends to collect dust, as even one speck of dust can affect the look of your finish.When it comes to application, use quality tools and products for best results. Investing in good brushes, sprayers, and other wood finishing equipment may cost more upfront, but it will save you time (and money) down the line when it comes to getting a smooth, even finish on your projects.Finish all sides of your project! It is especially important to finish all sides of your wood if you’re making something like a table or desk, as leaving one side unfinished allows moisture to seep into the wood and can cause warping or cupping. While it may seem unnecessary to finish the underside of a product that may not show, it can affect how your project ages over time. Finally, don’t rush! Take your time during each step of the finishing process and make sure that each layer is completely dry before moving on to the next one. This will ensure that your finished product looks as smooth and elegant as possible. That Seals Up Our Discussion on Wood Finishing! Pun intended.
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How to Finish Live Edge Wood Slabs
Updated May 12th, 2026 | KJP Select Hardwoods How to Finish Live Edge Wood Slabs Live edge wood projects add a unique and natural touch to any living space! Live edge refers to the natural, curved edge of a tree trunk or branch that is normally removed when a log is milled into lumber. Maintaining the live edge has become increasingly popular over the last decade. Woodworkers around the world covet this material for their building projects. The expression “no two pieces are ever the same” is actually inaccurate when it comes to live edge wood! When a log is cut into slices, it is called a flitch. When two sequential slabs are put side by side, they are mirror images of each other. This is a very popular technique called book matching which we will chat about later on. When purchasing live edge wood, generally speaking, the cheaper options are still drying and are unprocessed. By ensuring your wood has been properly dried, you give your project the best possible chance for success, and you can use it almost immediately. Wood movement is real! Perhaps we'll go into more detail on that topic in a future blog post. Now that you know what live edge wood is, let’s chat about finishing live edge wood. How to Finish Live Edge Slabs Ensure your live edge slab has been properly dried and is flat. The majority of the live edge wood slabs sold at KJP Select Hardwoods come pre-flattened, so it's rarely something you need to worry about. It should be noted that all of our slabs have also been properly kiln-dried. If your slab does need flattening, you can do so by using a tool such as the Woodpeckers Slab Flattening Mill Pro. Alternatively we offer a flattening service with a very quick turnaround. We recommend removing the bark. Chances are it will fall off naturally if you try to keep it on, so you might as well remove it now and clean up the edge. This can be done using a sharp chisel. Slowly and delicately, peel off section by section. You'll likely find this process quite satisfying! The live edge of a slab is most commonly positioned on the outside portion of the project. This is commonly seen in tabletops and charcuterie boards. That being said, an increasingly popular project is creating an epoxy river table. You essentially put slabs into a mold with the live edge portions in the interior of the project and then fill the empty space with coloured epoxy. Either way, the finishing process is the same. Below are a couple of examples displaying different ways of showcasing live edge wood. You can browse for more inspiration on our Epoxy Resin / River Tables page. How to Sand Live Edge wood The first step to finishing a live edge slab is sanding. Start by softening the edges prior to sanding the live edge slab. If the live edge is particularly rough, you can use a grinder to speed up the process. Give the sides an excellent sand, ensuring that there are no sharp edges. No one wants to ruin their clothing on the side of a live edge table! Then you'll want to grab an orbital sander such as a Festool ETS EC 150 (the powerhouse choice in our workshop) and really take your time sanding the top surface of your live edge slab. You'll generally begin the process at 80 or 120 grit and work your way up to 220. Live Edge Slab Finishing How to seal Live Edge Wood If you've chosen to keep the bark on, you'll want to seal the live edge. Start by vacuuming the edges to try and remove as many loose pieces as possible. Using a clean brush, you can apply epoxy to the edges to help adhere the bark to the slab. This won't guarantee that the bark will stay on, but it's your best bet. We would recommend UVPoxy for this step. How to finish a Live Edge Slab Using an oil finish like Rubio Monocoat Pure, you can seal and finish the wood in just one coat per side. It couldn't be easier! Using an oil applicator, apply one coat on the top surface and use a lint-free rag on the live edges. Wipe off any excess within 15 minutes. After it has dried, apply a coat on the bottom surface of your project. Wait for it to cure, and voila. You have just finished your live edge wood project! Frequently asked Questions About Finishing Live Edge Wood What happens if I can't find a slab wide enough to make a table? That is where the concept of book matching comes into play. By laminating sequential slabs from a flitch together, you will create the illusion of a one-piece tabletop. For a cheaper alternative, you can also split a live edge slab and laminate matching or complimentary boards of lumber in the middle. We have a helpful video on our TikTok channel chatting about that topic. I want a live edge wood table in my house but I'm not a woodworker We would love to help! Take a browse at our Live Edge Table section for more information. What is the most popular live edge wood? Walnut, Ambrosia Maple, and White Oak seem to be trending these last few years. They are all timeless and elegant choices. At KJP Select Hardwoods, we have a wide variety of slabs ready to ship to your doorstep! Finish Your Live Edge Project with KJP Select Hardwoods Now that you have the knowledge of how to finish live edge wood, you’re ready to tackle your next project with confidence. Let us help! We have an assortment of wood finishing products for every application. Finish your live edge slab with the best finishes and techniques in the industry. Shop Finishing Products
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