Hand Rubbing

More on hand rubbing

Why the great deal about hand rubbing? What's so special about the "hand" ? Anything to that?

My experience says YES!  Use of the hand directly during finishing with oils produces the warmth, the glow, that is so outstanding. A glow that of yet, I have been unable to capture on camera. When I say DIRECT use of the hand, I mean no gloves but, direct skin contact with the surface of the table ( or piece), and the oils. Rubbing them slowly and firmly, in circular motions so as to push the oils down into the wood. It is the HEAT of the hand that assits in this beatifying process. Hand rubbed beauty!

Explanation
Wood has tiny pours (holes).  Some, so tiny that I view them using jewelers magnifying glasses as I rub in the oils. The motion of the rubbing combined with the heating of the oils works the oil down into those pours. Multiple coats, each rubbed by hand, eventually fills the pours level full. Each coat being buffed prior to the next and coat after buffed coat stacked atop each other creates the "depth" AND the "glow".

At the same time all the above is happening, the oils PENETRATE the wood versus build up and form a sort of film, like a varnish and most urethanes do. This penetration brings out distinct hues and colorations of the wood. Enhancing the natural beauty such that we can now begin to see the minute detail with a naked eye.

One of the reasons the hand rubbing process is more costly than conventional urethane finishes is due to the above: the process brings out minute details. Thus, if there is a small sanding scratch left on the piece, the hand rubbing of oils brings that scratch out also. Enhancing it for all to see.

DETAILED preparation of the wood prior to the first application of hand rubbed oils is essential! Again, I accomplish this using the aid of the jewelers magnifying glasses and under MUCH intense lighting. The surface MUST be totally scratch free. NO blemishes.

For more on maintenance of oil finishes, please read the lower portion of THIS page.