Defects in Wood Finish

Most of the defects that you might see in millwork finish could be described as the following: orange peel, blotching, blushing, bleeding, bubbling, checking, crazing and fisheye. Because most of these descriptions have an “ing” at the end, it means that something has happened, and it is usually preventable. 

Orange peel is exactly as it sounds, and your finish has the approximate texture of an orange. Orange Peel could be caused by several conditions or combination of conditions. The most common reasons for orange peel are drying too quickly, the sprayer is not atomizing the finish, or the finish is too thick. If your finish is drying too quickly, ensure the temperature in the room is not elevated. Air movement can cause finish to dry too quickly as well. Make sure your finish is not near a downdraft or air handling equipment. If your finish is too thick you can thin your finish with water for water-based applications and mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, etc. If your sprayer is not atomizing the finish, verify you are using the correct tip and the correct distance from the material.  

Blotching happens when stain is uneven or has light and dark patches. This is caused by how quickly the wood adsorbs the stain in different areas. The first step to prevent blotching is ensuring you sand to the appropriate grit. The second step is to make sure that you use a wood conditioner. This will prepare the surface so the stain will distribute evenly. When using a spray gun verify the air pressure is up and the flow is down. Finally make sure that if you are hand wiping manage that amount of stain you put down before wiping. You may need to ask someone else to help with large areas. 

Blushing happens when there is a light or white discoloration in the wood. Blushing is caused by moisture trapped in the finish. Most often this is caused by moisture in the environment or if the wood has not been dried properly. The most obvious resolution is to make sure to keep your environment stable. You can also thin out your clear coating to reduce the risk of blushing. 

At Giffin Interior and Fixture we have been providing the right finish for your projects for 43 years. We have the experience and desire to take your next large millwork project across the finish line. Email us to discuss your next project. Sales@GiffinInterior.com