All CrystaLac products can be used in the process of your wood finishing project. The hard part can be deciding exactly what you need. We are here to help! In the drop down menu under "Wood Finishing" you will find the step by step guides with links to tutorials for wood finishing. The Technical Data Sheets also have product application information and is on the individual product pages in the catalog dropdown menu.
Our Facebook group and community DIY with CrystaLac is also full of great tutorials, guides and a welcoming community that will help you in your journey ,whether you are a beginner or an expert. You can visit our blog for detailed answers to your most common questions, and we encourage you to reach out to us via email or phone. Don't miss additional tutorial videos and insider information by following us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and more.
Prepping Your Project
The MOST IMPORTANT step to finishing is PREP PREP PREP! Yet, it is often the step skipped most often, due to it's perceived difficulty. But, there is no need to stress. Here is an easy how-to guide :
Old Furniture or Wood
Clean well with 50/50 denatured alcohol and water. This helps to remove old oils, fingerprints, cleaners, and waxes. Once dry, grab around a 220 block sanding pad and give it a light scuff sand. Once finished, clean one more time with the same mixture and be sure to remove any sanding dust residue.
New Wood
Seal with CrystaLac amber-toned Sanding Sealer, or clear It’s Knot Shellac. These help minimize grain raise to reduce sanding, seals in the tannins of the wood to prevent bleeding and yellowing, and creates a nice waterproof barrier (see more info under sanding sealer).
*When staining no sanding sealer is needed. It is usually best to apply our Gel-Stain directly to the raw wood. To get even coverage on porus or soft woods you can prep by first doing one or two coats of our Clear Gel Stain/Glaze Base
Sanding Sealer: Why and How
Why: Waterborne finishes “wet” the wood and cause the wood grain to raise. Sanding Sealer helps to minimize the grain raise so that less sanding is needed. It also works to block the tannins that can bleed through the finish, causing yellowing. This is especially important if you are painting your project white or a solid color.
Our amber-toned sealer also helps to enhance the warm colors of the woodgrain. Our topcoats are crystal clear, but many people are used to the “wet” darkened look that an oil or lacquer finish provides. Our amber-toned sanding sealer allows you to still create this look while still providing the benefits of a nice clear finish.
Our Clear Sealer "It's Knot Shellac" is an alternative clear option that blocks the tannins in the wood to prevent yellowing.
CrystaLac Sanding Sealer can also be used as a pre-stain conditioner. This isn’t needed if using our gel-stain, but other stains often absorb into the wood unevenly, causing discoloration. Our sanding sealer can be used under these types of stains to give you an even coverage and colors.
We also offer “It’s Knot Shellac”. This is a clear version of our sanding sealer created for if you don’t prefer the amber tint.
Sanding Sealer: Application
It can be applied by either brushing or spraying. Its thin viscosity makes it easy to spread and allows it to penetrate into porous woods. To start apply 1 thin coat and allow it to dry. Lightly scuff sand to remove any raised grain fibers, then apply an additional 1 to 2 coats to seal wood and provide an excellent surface that will be ready to topcoat.
As a conditioner : Apply 1 coat of Sanding Sealer to the bare wood and allow to dry*. Sand back down to bare wood leaving the sealer only in the wood grain and pores. Apply stain and allow it to thoroughly dry*. Apply another 1 to 2 coats of Sanding Sealer over the dried stain. This will help to seal the stain color down and keep it from spreading. It is now ready for a clear top coat.
* Please be aware that oil-based stains need at least a week to gas off before applying waterbased products over them.
Sanding Sealer Tutorial - It's Knot Shellac
Finishing a Barn Door : Prep and use of Amber Toned Sanding Sealer - Facebook Live 1
Wood Grain Filler: Use
CrystaLac Wood Grain Filler fills the pores in the wood to give you the smoothest surface possible. Filling the wood grain before applying your top coat helps eliminate those distracting little pock marks where the finish didn't completely fill the pores. It is most often used on tabletops and by guitar makers to create that smooth-like-glass perfect finish. It is easy to apply and when top-coated appears COMPLETELY clear, so you can still see the beautiful colors and grain of the wood. It can also be tinted with the CrystaLac Pigments to create unique looks.
Note:* It is NOT for holes, gouges, or cracks in the wood, but rather the wood grain itself.
Wood Grain Filler: Application
Bare wood – Use one to two coats of sanding sealer first to bring out the wet color of the wood. Sand, then apply WGF. You can rub it into the pores with a lint free rag, or brush it onto the surface and trowel(squeegee) off any excess. Thoroughly dry 2 to 4 hours. Sand smooth and remove any sanding dust with a vacuum or compressed air. Wipe with a damp cloth (water only) and reapply as needed. Do a final sanding and then apply your choice of CrystaLac Top Coat.
Use on Stained Wood: General Staining - Stain bare wood as directed. If using a solvent or oil based stain, allow ample time for it to thoroughly dry making sure all solvents have evaporated and oils have cured. We suggest using a water based stain for a much quicker and more environmentally safe process. After staining, apply WGF. Sand and reapply if necessary. You can stain over the WGF if any of the stain was sanded off initially. Apply a topcoat and you’re done. For an even grained look, apply WGF first then stain. This will work similar to a stain conditioner and not allow the stain to penetrate and appear darker in the deep wood grains.
Topcoat/Sealer
The most essential part of "finishing" your Woodworking Project is sealing and protecting your hard work with a quality TopCoat. We have 4 available right now: Super Premium All-Purpose, Extreme Protection Polyurethane, Brite Tone and CrabCoat Exterior Marine finish. Though each is a bit different, you will be impressed that the quality of each surpasses anything in your local box store.
All of them are Non-Yellowing, Non-Toxic, Food-Grade safe, Eco-Friendly and scratch resistant. To find out which one you need check out our Blog post and video: "What are the differences between CrystaLac topcoats?"
The application for these products are all essentially the same. You want to stick to the 5 CrystaLac Basics : Proper Prep, Correct Temperature range, Correct Humidity range, Application technique/proper thickness of coats, and Dry time/ Cure time. For more specific and detailed product application information such as spraying specs etc. you can view the Technical Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheets available in the top menu.
Basic Guidelines
- Prep: Properly clean and sand your piece
- Temperature: Apply product between 68-75 degrees F. Make sure product itself is also at this temperature if you are storing it in a cooler area such as your shop or basement,
- Humidity: Over 50% with 70% humidity being perfect
- Application: You can brush, spray or wipe the product on straight from the container. We do NOT recommend rollers as this can cause excess bubbles. Apply the thickness of 2 sheets of paper and give 2-4 hours between coats. Keep in mind in cooler weather to give additional dry time. No sanding is needed between coats.
- Dry Time/ Cure Time: 2 hours minimum between coats and 4 for Brite Tone as it has higher solids. It should be dry to the touch quickly and your project can be lightly used within a week. The FULL CURE time is 30 days.
Wood Finishing: 5 Steps to Success using CrystaLac waterborne products
Quick Tip: Can CrystaLac be used over other products?
Gel-Stains: About
CraftNique Gel-Stains by CrystaLac are one of a kind. They can not only be applied to bare wood, but it adheres over paint as well to make beautiful glazes and unique crafts.
Gel-Stains: Application
Never forget to PREP PREP PREP! CrystaLac waterbased Gel-Stain/Glaze is easy to apply. You can spray it on with a spray gun, or brush it on with a foam or bristle brush. Like our other products it is non-toxic, eco-friendly and is low VOC. It can be applied over a painted surface, veneer and of course, raw wood. The limit is your imagination!
When using CrystaLac Gel Stain you do not need to seal the wood first with sanding sealer, but some woods, especially soft woods , can tend to soak up the color unevenly. To help get more even coverage you can first apply a coat or two of the Clear Gel-stain Base and Glaze , and then go over it with your preferred stain color.
After your first coat you will see some initial grain raise. Once the gel stain has dried at least 2-3 hours you can lightly sand back the grain raise to get an even surface. Be sure to remove all the sanding dust with an air compressor, vacuum, or damp cloth. No sanding is needed between coats for adhesion w/CrystaLac products.
You want to apply the stain/glaze in thin even coats, giving 2-3 hours of dry time in between coats. Try not to go over a spot twice you have already applied the stain (while still wet) when putting on your coats. Like our topcoats, the gel stain will self-level removing any streaks or small bubbles. You can apply as many coats as you prefer to get the look you are trying to achieve. The opacity of your stain color will change according to how many coats you apply.
Once you have the coverage you prefer just slap on a CrystaLac Topcoat!