Michael Roemen: “In today’s video we’re back with Rhett to talk about wood finishes. Finish is an important aspect to your wood ceiling to give it a durable, quality, and long-lasting appeal. So, Rhett, let’s see what you have to say about wood finishes.”
What type of finish does 9Wood use?
Rhett Shidaker: “9Wood uses a couple of different finish systems. All of our finishes applied on a flatline spray machine that has a reciprocating head on it. Our finishes themselves are really in two categories. One is to protect the wood, and one is to enhance the look of wood. So, on our stains there is what I call the ‘carrier of the color’ and then the colorant itself. What carriers you select is really going to determine how well that coating sinks down into the wood and how consistently throughout the wood it sinks down into the wood. The colorant itself is going to give you that consistency of color throughout and determine whether or not it’s going to cover up the grain or if it’s really going to make the grain pop out.”
Sheen (gloss level)
RS: “So 9Wood uses on our interior products a matte sheen; it’s around a 10 gloss. The [more matte-like] a coating is, the more you really see the wood, as opposed to a more glossy finish is really going to have a high light reflectance and it’s going to take away from the natural look of wood. We can do a little bit higher sheen if the customer wants that, like a satin, maybe more of a 15 or a 20 sheen.”
What physically makes up the finish build?
RS: “So when we say build, we mean literally the thickness of the coating that’s being applied to the wood. It’s measured in millage which is a thousandth of an inch. When we say 3 wet mills, we mean we’re applying 3 wet thousandths of an inch to our product. We apply 3 to 5 wet mills depending on the coating, and that’s per coat, and it all just depends on the solids that are in the coating, because you’re translating a wet millage to a dry millage. So, in order to apply 1 dry mill, you need to apply 3 to 5 wet mills most of the time.”
What is six-sided finishing?
RS: “So, six-sided finishing just means that all six sides of the board, top, bottom, the sides, and the ends of the board all have finish on them. We do six-sided coating on everything at 9Wood.”
What is an in-field finish application?
RS: “So, we send out finish for field application. If it’s interior, we send out a Low-VOC touch-up Lacquer. If it’s exterior, we send out an Exterior-Grade Urethane to make sure the customer can really touch up the ends after field cutting.”
RS: “I think U.V. [ultraviolet] is the industry standard just from an economical perspective. What that does is allow them to apply the finish and instantly cure it with U.V. light. It’s extremely economical and extremely fast. The disadvantage is that then if you want a color or a stained look on the wood, you have to apply it to the finish that’s sitting on top of the wood. So, the darker you go, the more it’s going to cover up the wood, and it’s going to begin to look pretty plastic, as opposed to having a stain be a separate pass and be penetrating down into the wood and really popping that grain out.”
MR: “Thanks for watching the video today, and thank you, Rhett, for going through all those questions. If we didn’t answer anything, let us know. We want to make sure that you have all the information you need. We are here to help you deliver on your design intent for your client. Thanks so much, and we’ll see you next time.”
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