Good finish for oak panelling, doors etc.

[Blondino]

Hi
I have just had all my hallway redone in oak panelling, architarves and doors. Have got a few snags. Main one are the nail holes from the nail gun used to attach the frames and architraves, where some splitting has occurred near to edges of architraves. The oak panellingis on an mdf base. Is this usual now as old panelling was oak ply?
What can I do to finish this work to look as professional as possible. Is it a diy possibility or sdhould I go for a professional?
Thanks in advance.

 

[awbcm]

All the wall panelling and the bar shown on this page of my web site was constructed from oak veneered MDF and solid prime european oak finished with precatalyst low sheen high density lacquer.

Nothing wrong in using veneered MDF in my book and is a lot better than using veneered plywood.

You can fill the holes left by the nail gun with coloured wax.

 

[Blondino]

Hi
Thanks for the advice. Where can I get this and which is the best make to use?

 

[awbcm]

You can give this company a call Smith & Rodger ( AKA woodfinishes1877 ) and ask for Ian McAslan. I have sent Ian a email so he should see your posting.

 

[woodfinishes1877]

Hi Blondino,

You have a couple of different ranges of coloured wax filler that you can choose from.

Firstly there are Liberon Wax Sticks that are available in 16 different shades and come in 50gm bars (same size as a Mars Bar)

Secondly you could use Konig Softwaxes which come in over 40 shades and come in boxes of 10x8cm sticks. Alternatively mixed boxes are available also.

Both products allow you to rub them into the holes and then wipe of any excess. Obviously the most important thing to achieve is a close colour match. If possible you can send me a sample of the wood and I will do my best to match to the wax fillers.

I hope this helps but please don't hesitate to come back with any questions.

 

[woodfinishes1877]

Sorry missed the other part of your email.

If you have access to a spray gun and can isolate the are from overspray then I agree with awbcm, you can't do much better that Precat Lacquer.

However if this is not possible and you need to do it by hand you could try the traditional method of 2 coats of Shellac Sanding Sealer (sanded in between coats to drive the shellac into the pours of the wood) and then using OOOO steelwool apply Superwax Polish and buff off using a clean lint free cloth.

This system will take a while but is well worth the effort and the final result will be stunning.