WoodDigest.com |

In today’s economy differentiating yourself from your competitors is a must. We are all looking for ways to increase sales and profits, and by stepping up in the finish room there are opportunities to increase both sales and profits. Developing creative finishes that are different from your competitors is one way to set you apart.

One creative finish option is the Rustic Roan Finish. Rustic is an architecture with a rough-hewn or roughened surface. Roan has a coat of a main color thickly interspersed with other colors, typically bay, chestnut or black.

Many tools can be used for distressing your wood; the tools used to create this effect were:
• Large and small needle guns
• Sander
• Razor blades/utility knife
• Dental pick/punches
• Rasp files
• Wood chisels

The Techniques

Substrate: Alder
Procedure/processes

1a Using both large and small needle guns, select areas for worm holing.

1b After using needle guns, go back with a punch and enlarge a few holes in each area. Be sure to go at an angle, not straight.

2 Edge gouging/worn areas: Use mechanical sander with 150 or 180 grit. Worn edges should not be even.

3 Crack effect: Select area to create false crack. Use a razor blade or small dental pick to create line crack; crack line should not be uniform. Using a utility knife, create a wider gouge in the crack area; rack the area with the knife blade. Using a larger stronger pick, dig slightly at the crack to form irregularities.

4 Rough cut effect using rasp files. Drag the rasp at an angle across edge areas to give crosscut markings.

5 Gouge marks and chip outs. Using wood chisels and wood gouges, chip out areas along edges; these tools can also be used to create tear-out areas.

6 Spray no-wipe stain, tinted with dyes or 844 colorants or a combination of both, to a light brown color.

7 Wash coat, using your sealer reduced 25 to 30 percent, applied at 2 wet mils. Allow to dry and scuff sand with 320 grit.

8 Seal coat, using your sealer spray 3-mil wet coat. While wet - spray selected areas with crackle lacquer and allow to dry. Using 320 grit lightly sand burn through edges in selected areas only.

9 Glaze: 1 to 1 mix black and Van Dyke brown glaze. Brush or spray. Glaze should be reduced with mineral spirits (slow), VM&P (fast) or a combination of the two. Remove excess glaze with a rag and then final effect completed with a brush; shadowing on corners.

10 Seal coat: Using your sealer, spray 2.5 to 3 wet mils; then allow to dry.

11 Sand: Scuff sand with 400 grit and blow excess dust off before final topcoat application.

12 Topcoat: Using your topcoat, spray 2.5 to 3 wet mils; then allow to dry

13 Topcoat: A second topcoat can be applied if desired.

These are guidelines only; effects can be altered to achieve any combination of desired finish effects.

Always use a compatible coating system; this will help ensure a strong and lasting finish. If you are unsure of a system, check with your coating representative for guidance. All systems should be checked for proper adhesion prior to installing in the field.

Although the steps seem lengthy, this is a relatively easy special effects finish that can be used to add on sales and increase profits.

It is about differentiating yourself!

Tim Woolery is the vice president of marketing and product development, Gemini Coatings. He can be reached at timw@gemin-coatings.com.

Techniques performed by Brian Hansen, national industrial sales manager.

Photos taken by Doug Lacina, creative director Gemini Coatings.