the wood wizzard
How the Magic happens
explaining the refinishing process
Stripping
The Wood Wizzard is known for custom finishes, the top-coat, the end result: that durable, long lasting quality protective layer on the wood. To achieve that, the process all starts with detailed removal of the current finish, sealers, or paint. Revealing the original wood by removing all the current layers is done all by hand and using organic chemicals. We cleanse and treat the wood after stripping by simply washing the piece with water, and allowing it to dry, curing it back to it's natural state - raw, exposed wood. We only use chemical cleansers as needed. We use a myriad of hand tools to minimize chemical use, and insure all the original materials are removed while the original wood remains intact. This process is time consuming and drenched in elbow grease - we're applying years of stripping experience over every inch of a piece. Stripping properly is the first step to knowing the finish will look fantastic.
TOP: Before refinishing, marks and dryness of old finish.
BOTTOM: Freshly stripped exposed wood.
Sanding
Sanding is the next major part of the refinishing process. More time consuming than stripping usually, and even more labor intensive, proper sanding is the core of preparing pieces for a high quality finish. Sanding can be delicate or industrious, often times both on the same piece. Working through each layer, a fraction of a millimeter at a time, reveals the purest of grains in the wood. Using different grit sanding paper, in proper order, reveals more and more of wood's beauty, bringing any chatoyance present in the grain forward. Sanding is the fine detail that really prepares pieces for the final stages.
Freshly machine sanded oak, then hand sanded at a high grit, opening the smaller pores of the grain.
Staining, Sealing, toning, GLAZING & painting
This is the color application, protective layering, and top coat process.
Stain is coloring that is applied to the wood to bring out or camouflage the natural color - customer direction required. Sometimes accenting differences in tone within the grain, other times minimizing the difference between darkest and lightest regions. This is where The Wood Wizzard relishes collaborating with customers to create the custom end result color desired. Stains are absorbed directly into the wood becoming the base of color tone. The grain absorbs the stain like a sponge, giving a new color palette to build from.
This kitchen table has been stained to match the chairs.
Sealing is a first protective layer applied after sanding & staining. This is a sturdy chemical that bonds to the wood. Not only does it keep any stain from interacting with the layers above, but it also is a uniform layer that will absorb the high quality top coat finish.
Toning and glazing are other ways to add color and depth to a piece. Often times applied with the sealer, toner can create a uniform color tone across areas of a piece, like a classic 'sunburst' on vintage guitars, or sprayed across an entire piece to give a monochrome even look. Glaze is applied via brush to add a depth to the grain, sitting on top of the sealer it is not absorbed like stain. Glazing adds another dimension within the final look, introducing another tone or simply adding more of the same selected color. Glazing can be thin to bring out the topography of the wood’s texture, or thick like a paint that keeps the brush stroke application as part of the look. Even thicker glazes create a rubbed painted opaque feel, leaning into faux antique qualities.
This table had new interior panels installed, toned to match the exterior frame of the top, aprons, legs, and chairs.
Often times, painting is the desired result for our clients. You can bring in samples or work with us to find the right color for your piece. The paint bonds with the sealer much like toner does, and becomes another protective layer to be finished beautifully. We order the paint directly from our source in our material so the layers bond at the quality we require.
Upright piano painted a custom purple/pink.
Two piece china/buffet painted black.
TOP COAT Finish
The big 'finish.' The pay off. The Wood Wizzard custom mixes it's own stains, sealers, toners, glazes, paints, as needed per project and especially - the final coat. Offering dull, matte, satin, semi-gloss, and high-gloss finishes, in an open or closed pore finishes that looks and feels amazing for years. The finish is beautiful, durable, transparent and enjoyable to the eye and to touch. This is the armor for the stories wrapped up in a piece, and will sacrifice itself as part of its duty to protect your furniture. May your favorite pieces be used for years, and may your finish wither away over time and use, allowing you to keep your memories in a piece, and have it finished again and again for generations.
Maple Kitchen Table, satin finish, with Blue Painted Chairs, satin finish
"I was brought to tears, a flood of memories from my childhood came back when the boys delivered my pieces." -kris K. (Duncan phyfe dropfront secretary)
"Just wanted to let you know how happy I am with the end table. It is beautiful and looks better now than it did when it was new!" - Mrs. Silver (Coffee table)
"SIMply GORGEOUS. I'm more than thrilled, this is freakin' fantastic." - Anna K (family heirloom cedar chest)
"I can't believe i told my husband i didn't want to do the bedroom set. this is so amazing, i don't know why i'm crying. new home, and now our bedroom set is new, too." - Mrs. K (Headboard, nightstands, & dresser)
Square Dining Table - Painted Black with Satin Finish