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    Video: Creating a charred and painted finish

    Mark's applies an unusual finish to his wall shelves; first scorching the surface with a torch and then painting to create a one of a kind surface.

    Author Headshot By Mark Gardner Aug 04, 2021

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    My finish for the shelves combines burning and painting. I scorch the raw wood with a plumber’s torch and follow that with a soft wire brush to remove the loose soot from the burned surfaces. After blowing the shelf clean with compressed air, I apply three coats of white milk paint.

    Once the paint is dry, I sand the beaded surface, taking strokes along the length of the shelf, first with 150-grit paper and then 220. This leaves the paint in the valleys between the beads but sands it away on the high spots, revealing the charred wood and creating a nice graphic effect. After blowing the shelf clean again, I spray on three or four coats of a clear matte acrylic lacquer.

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    Videos in the Series

    • Video: Creating a split turning blank

      August 4, 2021

      The wall shelf begins as four pieces glued together as a single turning blank using a paper joint; a centuries-old technique.

    • Video: Turning the wall shelf

      August 4, 2021

      In this episode, Mark turns blank into a pod shape, and then splits it apart at the paper seems, revealing four turned shelves.

    • Video: Creating a charred and painted finish

      August 4, 2021

      Mark's applies an unusual finish to his wall shelves; first scorching the surface with a torch and then painting to create a one of a kind surface.

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    About This Video Workshop

    Mark Gardner's turned display shelves are made four at a time, glued up from a blank of four square pieces. Mark turns the glued-up blank into a pod shape, decorates it with beads or coves, splits it into four pieces, and ends up with four wall shelves. He adds a French cleat and a finish, and his floating shelves are good to go. In this bite-sized video series, you'll see how Mark creates these stylish… More about this Video Workshop

    Comments

    1. Matt_V | Aug 12, 2021 05:20pm | #1

      This is a great project, and I was glad to see the video to support it. Thank you!

    2. User avater
      spectel | Oct 03, 2021 01:23pm | #2

      Awesome project. Inspired me to try this method. Do you also apply a clear coat as a final step? If so what do you recommend? Thanks for sharing your process.

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