Mantle finishing help..

[Psehunter]

Final pulled the trigger to have a wood stove insert done. The company comes in August to start ripping the old out framing and putting in the new..I'm having it stoned and I just picked up a log mantle that is not finish. Anyone know of a good place in the Vernon Butler Oakland area that would finish it ...I though about doing it my self but this thing was expensive and I don't want to mess it up..any suggestions would be great, I searched online but cant find anyone.

Edited June 20, 2018 by Psehunter

[tcook8296]

Finish it yourself. Its not that difficult. Plenty of videos on youtube. 

Get yourself some sample pieces of wood from home depot and experiment with different finishes before you apply it to your mantle. Quite a few options for finishes. All depends on the look you are going for. 

[tcook8296]

When I had this log cut, it still had bark on it. My wife and I finished it with a stain after stripping the bark and sanding.

[tcook8296]

My wife is finishing barn beams that are going to be installed in a new house we are building. 

This is an oil finish she brushed on. Gave it a lttle color and really highlighted the hand hewn axe marks. 

You can buy the oil at Home Depot

[tcook8296]

We also finished all this wood with an oil stain from Lowes.  I believe it is made by Cabot

[Live to Hunt]

I did the same it’s that easy.  Show us some pics when your done PSE. Came out nice tcook

Edited June 20, 2018 by Live to Hunt

[Greybeard]

test whatever stain or natural finish you decide to use on the back edge of the mantle first.  Using any other scrap wood, as a sample, will took different.

[Rusty]

6 hours ago, tcook8296 said:

Finish it yourself. Its not that difficult. 

I couldn't agree more, it's not hard and it's very satisfying to do it yourself.  Like the others have said, practice on some sample pieces first.  

Keep us posted on the progress.   

[Psehunter]

I'm just nervous trying it, this log cost me $600 .....do you stain and the do a clear or do you just leave it stained??? And what about the cracks?? I've read to fill them them with epoxy and sand it....maybe I'll give it a shot

[Psehunter]

26 minutes ago, Rusty said:

I couldn't agree more, it's not hard and it's very satisfying to do it yourself.  Like the others have said, practice on some sample pieces first.  

Keep us posted on the progress.   

 As soon as they start I'll post some pictures or before and after

[Live to Hunt]

I left my cracks I like the natural look. No I would just stain it a big piece of wood needs to breath. My opinion. Trust us it’s so easy. Where do you live I could even show you 

[Rusty]

1 hour ago, Psehunter said:

I'm just nervous trying it, this log cost me $600 .....do you stain and the do a clear or do you just leave it stained??? And what about the cracks?? I've read to fill them them with epoxy and sand it....maybe I'll give it a shot. 

Let it crack, it adds authenticity and it won't compromise the structural integrity of the wood.  

You can get products that are both stain and finish in one.    

I bought this 18 foot (8" x 12") beam, rough cut and unfinished, when our living room ceiling started to sag.  I used a stain/finish combination.  It cracked a bit but the beam is still solid after 25 years.  

 

Edited June 20, 2018 by Rusty

[Mallard1100]

14 hours ago, Psehunter said:

Final pulled the trigger to have a wood stove insert done. The company comes in August to start ripping the old out framing and putting in the new..I'm having it stoned and I just picked up a log mantle that is not finish. Anyone know of a good place in the Vernon Butler Oakland area that would finish it ...I though about doing it my self but this thing was expensive and I don't want to mess it up..any suggestions would be great, I searched online but cant find anyone.

Who did you end up using for the insert purchase and install?

[tcook8296]

Leave the cracks. It adds character. 

Are you installing it yourself? How do you plan on attaching it?

If you are ever looking for another log mantle, I bought 2 over the years at Reipoffs sawmill in Allentown Nj for around $150 each

Edited June 20, 2018 by tcook8296

[Greybeard]

Stain alone won't seal the wood, unless you use a stain /sealer 'all in one' combo.  I would still put 2-3 coats of poly over that to protect it when your wife decides to put flower pots on it.  Easier to keep clean, too.  Sand lightly between coats with 220 or finer grit, being careful not to go through to the stain on the high spots.  You can get a flat finish if you don't want a glossy look.

if the color you want to stain it is too dark/hides too much grain, thin it with turpentine(for oil base stain) until you get the shade you want.  You can also pickle it any color by using latex paint, and thinning it with around 2-3 parts water depending on how much grain you want showing.  Make test patches on the back side first, until you get it the way you want it.

Edited June 20, 2018 by Greybeard