handicraft for kitchen accessories

Based upon the surface which is finished, there are two basic types of wood finishing products- on the wood (varnishes, shellac, wax etc.) and in the wood (tung oil, mineral oil, etc.)

Shellac

Shellac is a natural resin. It has an alcohol base and gives a dark finish. It dries very fast and is less likely to collect dust. It is available in two forms - flaked and liquid. Both should be mixed with alcohol to acquire a thin consistency. Shellac is a fairly durable finish, but not as durable as lacquer or varnish. However, because shellac is a non toxic wood finish, it is good for such kitchen utensils like wooden bowls and trays which directly come into contact with food for a long time.

Varnish

It is one of the most durable finishes. The level of protection increases with each additional coat of varnish. It acts as a smooth, glossy finish. Varnish is usually combined with polyurethane for extended durability and protectiveness of the finish. It is therefore used for finishing the outside surface of the wood utensils and are preferred for decorative wood kitchen accessories.

Lacquer

It is one of the darker wood finishes. It is flexible, durable, and easy to maintain. Regular lacquer dries very quickly, and spray guns can be used to finish with lacquer. Due to this convienience of finishing with this medium, accessories like wooden forks and salad hands having more cuts can be easily given a lacquer finish.

Oil Finish

There are many types of oil finishes that are used for wood kitchen tools and accessories. Mineral oil is one of the best choices for oil finish. It can be wiped or brushed on and allowed to soak in the wood. Several coats may be applied and the excess can be easily wiped off. Even a gentle buffing of mineral oil gives a soft sheen to the wood utensils. Raw linseed oil is also used for finishing wood kitchen accessories. However, boiled linseed oil is better to be avoided as it has added chemicals that should not come in contact with food. Raw linseed oil also has a slight yellow color that enhances the look of some woods used for making kitchen tools and utensils. Pure tung oil and pure walnut oil are also used for giving non-toxic finishes to wood kitchen accessories.

Oils used to fininsh the wood kitchen accessories have an additional advantage too. They can be renewed by just applying more oil to the wood product. No sanding or removal of the old finish is required for this. Applying a new coat and allowing to dry it for 15 minutes or so can give the wood kitchen accessories a whole new look.

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