Introduction: How to Use Enhance Wood Finish for Decorative Pieces

By Salvaged Inspirations
About: Furniture Painting, DIY Crafts and Home Thrift Decor

Hi Instructables! If you have wooden pieces that need to be revamped, this tutorial is for you! Using Hemp Oil is a great product to enhance and protect your wooden pieces. It's easy to apply, all-natural, non-toxic, and even food safe!

Supplies

Here are the two wooden bowls I picked up from my local thrift store for $9.99 and $7.99 with 30% off, so just over $6 apiece. Their finish was worn off and they have a dark wooden finish.

  • Thrift Bowls
  • Carbide Scrape
  • Bosch Orbital Sander
  • Sponge Sanding Pads
  • Stripping Gel
  • Hemp Oil
  • Heat Gun

Step 1: Clean

I started by wiping the bowls using a shop towel. Then to remove the price tags, I used my heat gun to soften the adhesive and peeled them off.

Step 2: Scrape

Since I am aiming for a raw wood look, I scraped off the old finish using a carbide scraper. This tool is a good alternative for smelly paint/finish strippers especially if you have a sensitive nose. It is also ergonomic so even if you're a beginner, you can use it with minimum effort with maximum comfort.

Step 3: Sand

To remove the remaining finish, I sanded both bowls using my orbital sander with 120-grit sandpaper. This will ensure that the hemp oil will sip perfectly on the surface of the bowls.

Step 4: Stripping Gel and Re-sand

The other bowl gave me a hard time stripping off its dark finish, so I resorted to my last resort and used stripping gel to remove the stubborn finish.


I poured some into the bowl and then using an old chip brush, I brushed the stripper over the existing finish. Once the stripper was fully activated, I scrapped it. 


After scrapping, I gave it a good light sanding.

Step 5: Applying Hemp Oil

I poured some hemp oil into the bottom of the bowl and then using my chip brush, I brushed it onto the whole bowl inside and out. Using a shop towel, I wiped off the excess. You may repeat this process as many times as you like.

Step 6: Summary on How to Apply Hemp Oil

  1. Sand and clean the surface.
  2. Apply Hemp Oil using a brush, cloth, or even your hands.
  3. Let the Hemp Oil absorb into the wood for 15 minutes or up to an hour.
  4. Wipe excess oil off.
  5. Repeat if required.

Step 7: Finished Look

And here is the finished look. These bowls turned out beautifully and I love the raw wood look. The color and patterns certainly add a warm and inviting feel to any space where it is.

For more makeover tutorials like this ~

https://salvagedinspirations.com/hemp-oil-wood-finish-on-thrift-bowls/