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The soft finishing layer problem in the wood finishing.

A finish layer may become too soft and not enough to meet the specifications required by the furniture products. A soft finishing layer is a serious problem finishing, since it makes the furniture cannot fulfill its functions. A soft finishing layer is a failure in the finishing process. The soft finish layer often has to be stripped off and refinish with the right process and the right finishing materials.
The soft finishing layer is mainly caused by 2 things: the finish layer that is not perfectly dry and the bad quality of finishing materials. To avoid this problem then we need to make sure that we use the good quality material with the proper finish. 



print mark in the soft finishing layer

Here are
some tips to avoid the soft finishing layer.
  •  Allow sufficient drying time at each step in the finishing process.
Every finishing material requires a certain time to dry. The finishing materials which is dry with chemical reaction need enough time to ensure its chemical reactions is completely done. While the finishing material that dry by evaporation its thinner also need time to let their solvent to evaporate and release from the layer. The finishing layer will only meet his full strength when he is completely dry. Since that, we need to make sure that the finishing layer is completely dry before the product is used or packed. In a finishing process with many step, we need to ensure that every layer in each step of the finishing process has dry enough before continue with the next step. Every type of finishing material has different characters and may require different drying times that need to be followed. We can find the drying time be the product specifications. It is usually written in the cane of the product, or we can ask to the supplier.

  •  Avoid the thick layer of finishing material.
A thick layer of finishing materials tends to take longer time to dry. The thick layer will make the process of thinner evaporation become more difficult. Since that the too thick application should be avoided. One coat or two coat application of clear coating is more recommended instead of many layer in one application. If we need to built a thick film then we can re coat the finish layer after it is dry enough. It is a safer process since the drying process will be easily occurred.
  • The condition of the finishing room.
The drying process of a finishing layer is highly influenced by the environmental factors, especially the air temperature, humidity and circulation. In general, the drying process can faster in a room with higher temperature and low humidity. The solvent based finishing materials is less sensitive to the humidity, but the water based material is more sensitive to air humidity. We need to consider the temperature and the humidity of the finishing room  when do the finishing process. When the room is humid and cold, it means that we have to provide longer drying time to the finishing process. We may consider to equip the oven in the drying room to better control the humidity and the temperature of the room. 

  •  Use the finishing materials type in accordance with the product need.
There are many various types of finishing materials are available which each has its own character and properties. We have to make sure that we use the proper finishing material according to the product need.  The NC finishing materials, shellac, or varnish is usually relatively soft and not strong enough to withstand the high heat and pressure. Therefore, for products that require a higher resistance, it should be finished with the stronger finish material. The PU or AC clear coat is a stronger material that can withstand higher pressures and temperatures then the NC material.
Do some tests and experiments to ensure that the strength of the finish layer used is fulfill the specifications required by the finished products.

  • Make sure that we use the good quality finishing materials.
The quality of the finishing layer is also determined by the quality of the finishing materials used. The it is always better to use the good quality finishing materials although it is rather difficult to know the quality material by observe it in the wet condition. There are something we can do to minimize the problem of material quality:
-  always check the expiry dates of the materials before we use it.
- Check the physically looked of the material. Avoid to use the materials that is already physically changed since it is usually also has already chemically change.
- Do a proper mixing.
If we
want to add some thinner then we have to make sure that we use the proper thinner which is suitable with the finishing materials. The thinner from the same supplier with the type that is recommended by the supplier is the best choice. If we have to mix the material with the hardener, we have to make sure that we mix them with the proper dosage. The finishing materials that have good quality will become bad quality if it is inappropriately mixed. 

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