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Refinish to protect fine wood Spring Home Living Page 35 By Dean Carroll Copley News Service Wood lovers have a dilemma to face- how to protect wood from everyday wear and tear without hiding its beauty. Refinishing natural wood products is economical as it can protect the products from damage and prolong their life. And, according to officials at Minwax Co., a wood-finishing products manufacturer, it is easy to refinish outside or inside wood surfaces without hiding the wood grain or texture. The first step in refinishing is to chose a finish appropriate for the look you want. Spar urethane or other extra-tough clear finishes are recommended for outdoor wood surfaces which suffer particularly hard abrasion and abuse, such as patio furniture. These finishes allow the natural beauty of the wood to show through while protecting the surface from chipping, cracking, sun, water, salt, and air pollution. This type of preservative also enriches the look of wood grain and allows it to color naturally over the years. Other options for exterior wood refinishing projects are semitran- sparent wood finishes, which enrich the look, color and wood grain texture and serve both as a stain and a preser­ vative. Solid color finishes subdue grains but enhance the natural texture of the wood. If you're not sure which exterior finishing product is proper for vour irticular needs, check with your local irdware dealer. Before applying an exterior wood finish product, read directions carefully and make sure the wood is clean and dry. Then use either a brush, roller or sprayer, depending on the texture of the surface you're finishing. Rollers work well on smooth surfaces and brushes are better for shakes and clapboards. If working on a house, start at the top and work your way down. Careful application ensures the wood finish will seal every crack and crevice in the wood. For any project, leave off at a logical point, such as a corner, where overlapping finish will not show. For indoor refinishing jobs, an an­ tique refinisher will gently dissolve varnish, shellac, lacquer and other finishes to save you the chore of stripping. Then sand to rid wood sur­ faces of scratches, nicks, and tooling marks and make sure the surface is smooth. Final sanding is best done with a fine grade of sandpaper or steel wool. Always work with the grain and do not round the edges. Use a lint-free cloth or tack rag to remove sanding dust- dust prevents the finish from bonding properly. When you're ready to apply any type of wood finish, find an out-of-the-way area on the wood and test for color. For some indoor projects, you may wish to apply a coat of paste finishing wax or antique oil to add an enriching and protective final luster to the surface. For more tips on wood finishing, send for the free booklet Tips on Wood Finishing. Write: Minwax Co. Inc., Department PRC, Box 995, Clifton, N.J. 07014. ©rnsjrpng yiS|T YOUR ARMSTRONG FLOOR FASHION CENTER so wee , to come home to~ u..*-* * " For a total selection of beautiful, durable Armstrong flooring, visit Kadisak Tile, your floor fashion center® store. Our experts of­ fer valuable advice on decorating and free estimates on complete custom installation, or, save money and do-it-yourself. Armstrong flooring...the perfect choice for active rooms that stay beautiful. Armstrong floor fashion o PT <T> 1 L =3 Kadisak Tile Incorporated 385-7310 5002 W. Rt. 120 • McHenry implicit̂ Put your money where it will last. Simplicity builds the quality lawn and garden tractors. The 7100 garden tractor series is a perfect example. Compare features, like its free floating mower for the smoothest cut. Live power take off to operate front, center - %<$> or rear attachments. Controlled traction differential reduces traction loss due to wheel spin. Available in 12 h.p. gear drive or 12 to 19 h.p. Hydrostatic drive. It's the best value around, especially at pre-season prices. Simple as " ^ .... that. if PRICES EFFECTIVE THROUGH 4/30/85 Simplicity lawnmowers and garden tillers now have freshly cut prices. Each model is built to take it. And sale priced so you don't haye to dish it out. One is just right for your needs and your pocket book. • 5 hp 4<ycle engine • Solid state ignition • Convenient handle- mounted recoil start SIMPLICITY 5 HP REAR-TINE TILLER Rear-wheel power propelled • 21" steel deck with engine shroud • Rear discharge so you can trim on both sides of | mower • Catch or mulch grass • 10" rear/8" front wheels • 9-position height adjustment • 2 bu. rigid grass catcher \2« #1321PP PRICES EFFECTIVE THRU 4/30/85 TtVONC»OVfl»n I TO»T 1J • /.-C-V • • v.v . . REPAIRS 6417 KEYSTONE RD. RICHMOND, ILLINOIS (IIS) $539345 w:*.'-/••••• -/• v.-"-. v.v-.- • *.* • ' ' . --