100% Non-Toxic Way to Recreate a Salvaged Wood Finish

by Jen Burns

3 Materials

Sometimes when building with salvaged or reclaimed lumber, the wood is damaged or uneven. This creates a problem when trying to get a level surface and keeping the gorgeous colors at the same time.

Salvaged Heart Pine finish recreated

I had to plane down and sand the lumber to get a level surface which removed most of the color I was wanting to keep. To recreate that color I used a process that is 100% VOC free, non-toxic and naturally safe each and every product used.

After building, planing and rough sand

After building the top and getting it to a level surface, I started the process of matching the patina that was originally on the wood.

Unicorn Spit colored gel stains

I'm using Unicorn Spit colored gel stains for the first step of recreating color. These are the most vibrantly colored all natural stains and glazes on the market. They have a versatility that I haven't found in any other product that allows them to be used diluted as stains or glazes or as a paint. Their color dries in a flat sheen and becomes vibrant and almost 3D once sealed. There are a variety of sealing options, but today I'll show you an easy all natural non-toxic finish.

100 non toxic way to recreate a salvaged wood finish, how to, painted furniture

Starting with Midnight's Blackness and hitting all the imperfections, old nail holes and scratches.

Then with a damp rag I wiped off the excess.

You can see after wiping back the excess, the stain leaves just enough in all the right areas.

I absolutely love how easy and gorgeous this table came out. It's finished with 100% Pure Tung Oil which provides an all natural water resistant seal.

The base is Cece Caldwell and Daddy Van's

You can use this same process on new wood or when refinishing vintage/antique furniture as well. You may need to adjust your colors for different wood types (hint, hint I'll be doing a demo for mixing/matching custom stain colors soon).

If you'd like to see the full steps including colors, how to steps and the finishing technique please head over to the blog link for a full step by step demo.

http://sweetsongbird.eveyscreations.com/2016/08/recreating-salvaged-wood-finish_8.html

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3 of 4 questions

Cla9553899 on Aug 27, 2016
I, too, would like to know where you purchased the x -back chairs. Thanks.

2
Judie on Sep 21, 2016
Love the table, where did u find the lumber that u used?

1
Pamela on Oct 06, 2016
Can you do this on oak wood?

1

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2 of 18 comments

Maude LaFountain on Aug 27, 2016
Awesome and so beautiful ....I love it Jen ...Gotta love that Unicorn Spit ...

1 Reply
Joan on Aug 29, 2016
Love it! You done a great job

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