Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 2 of 2
  1. 23rd October 2010, 09:13 PM #1
    timbertom
    timbertom is offline Intermediate Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    34

    Default sealing cracks in old bridge dressed timber!

    hey there

    i just purchased some fantastic looking rustic timber today and plan to make a coffee table.

    the timber is very visually attractive and has light cracks scarring its entire surface. what i will be wanting to do, ideally, is to seal/fill these cracks to enable me to sand down to a completely smooth finish and then shellac/wax etc...

    so, the question i have is, what can i use to the fill the cracks/incisions without ruining the appeal? ive read stuff about putty, pva and saw dust but thought i should ask none the less.

    thanks in advance, timbertom.
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
  2. 23rd October 2010 09:13 PM # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. 23rd October 2010, 09:50 PM #2
    Chief Tiff's Avatar
    Chief Tiff
    Chief Tiff is offline Butcher of wood
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Bundaberg
    Age
    54
    Posts
    3,429

    Default

    I know of two ways to disguise unsightly cracks like these:

    Firstly, use a powdered resin type glue mixed with sawdust. The glue sets rock hard in under 30 minutes and takes all finishes. CA glue can also be used but you don't get a lot of time to work with! When I use it I fill the crack with sawdust then dribble in the CA.

    Secondly, use a propriatery coloured wood filler you can get from any hardware store, but go darker. The colour of the filler tends to be lighter than the wood it's supposed to be blending in with and I find that a dark crack looks better than a lighter one!

    If the timber has a cranky grain as well (Karri springs to mind here) the cracks can also "lift" off the surface after a year or two so I'd be looking at a thickish finish, possibly sanding sealer followed by shellac. Cellulose based sanding sealer is great because it penetrates deeply and sets quite thick in minutes!
    Reply With Quote Reply With Quote
« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Similar Threads

  1. Sealing cracks in old timber for oil finish?
    By Gunnaduit in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 9th August 2009, 11:27 PM
  2. 90x90 dressed timber
    By wood_wizard in forum TIMBER
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 5th April 2008, 07:38 PM
  3. From tree to dressed timber
    By masoth in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 19th April 2007, 05:05 PM
  4. Meaning of dressed timber????
    By sam63 in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 25
    Last Post: 18th October 2006, 05:18 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Forum Rules