Choosing a Top Coat

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated February 26, 2016)

Properly choosing a top coat can often be a tricky step in any woodworking or restoration project. The reason for this is that, simply put, not all top coats are created equally. With a properly chosen top coat, your wood project, whether it be furniture or something else, can last for virtually forever or at least seem that way. Choosing a top coat doesn't need to be as difficult as it sounds though, as long as you follow a few guidelines. Simply keep these guidelines in mind the next time you need to choose a top coat for your woodworking project, and you will have a beautifully finished project in no time.

  • Purpose. When choosing a top coat for your wood project, you first need to decide on what the purpose of the project itself is. Are you making something that is going to be purely decorative, or is it something that is going to be used for some other task? The overall purpose of the item that you are working on will help determine the kind of top coat or finish that you will use. The reason for this is that while all top coats can look fantastic, not all top coats are designed to be used in the same way.
  • Location. Location plays a huge role in the type of top coat that you should use on your woodworking projects. Are you going to be using the top coat on something that will be inside or outside? For anything that will be used outside, then you will want to make sure that you pick something that will be able to withstand the elements pretty well. This means that you should have a top coat that acts as a sealant, as well as something that will look beautiful. However, if you are going to be keeping the final project in the house, then this will not be as important of a consideration.
  • Ease of use and application. There are several different kinds of top coats and finishes that you could utilize, and each will have varying degrees of ease of use and application. Some require a rag or brush to apply, and others can be applied using mechanical means (such as with a paint sprayer). While each type can be equally beautiful, there will be differing results depending on the method that you use to apply the top coat. Be sure that you know what method of application that you will be using, and that you have chosen the correct type of top coat or finish to go along with that method. Many times the manufacturer will have information about this listed on the product itself; if not, simply ask at your local home improvement store to ensure that you have chosen the correct kind.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Fixing Small Dents

If you have a small dent, or even a lot of dents, on your car then you know how unsightly and unattractive they are. ...

Discover More

What is Chapattis?

Have you ever gone out to eat at a wonderful Indian restaurant and wondered what that tortilla-looking piece of bread ...

Discover More

Testing for Oil or Water Based Finishes

When redoing the woodwork in your home one of the most important steps is to determine what kind of existing finish you ...

Discover More

Cordless, Compact, and Powerful! DeWalt's 20-volt drill-driver kit packs a big punch in a small package, with a powerful high-performance motor tucked away inside a compact design. A great addition to the tool chest of any professional or DIYer! Check out DeWalt 20-Volt Drill/Driver Kit today!

More Home Improvement Tips

Finding a Good Painter

There is a definitive difference between someone who is painting a house, and a good painter. Here are some simple guide ...

Discover More

Mixing Paint

Have you ever noticed how expensive a painting project can be? There are several different methods you can use to save ...

Discover More

Painting over Wallpaper

Are you looking for a way to change the look of a room that has wallpaper, but you don't really feel like pulling the ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 5 - 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)