Materials used in decorating bamboo,

wood and metal product

Finishing materials are commonly used in decorating wood, bamboo, and metal products.
There are different kinds of finshing materials. Some are listed below;

1. Fillers
These are applied on wood to fill up cracks, holes, and grooves. There are two kinds of
wood fillers, as follow:
a. Paste filler- It comes from silex, raw linseed oil, and turpentine. It
has colors such as natural, red, or golden oak.
b. Shellac- This is a kind of varnish that dries up easily and is not waterproof. It comes from lac
gum diluted in alcohol. Lac gum is made up of the feces of insects that feed on the saps of trees
in India. Shellac is available in white or orange color; While paste fillers are used to fill in big
cracks and grooves of wood.

2. Stains
The common wood stains used are oil stain, water stain, and spirit stain which are named
after the solvent used. Stains are sold in different colors and shades. Stains are labeled according
to the colors of wood such as mahogany, light oak, and dark oak. The easiest to apply on wood
is oil stain. Stains widely used in furniture making are water stains. The hardest one to apply is
the spirit stain because it dries up easily. It is used to cover up scratches and dirty spots on wood.
3. Paint
A finishing material most commonly used on woods. Paint prevents moisture on the wood
which causes decay. Paint beatifies wooden objects and makes them easy to clean.

4. Varnish
This is a transparent finishing material that comes from gum, linseed oil, and resin. It is
hard and shiny when dry and gives sheen to the wooden project. Varnish is widely used in
furniture and upholstery making.
5. Enamel
This is a kind of varnish with color. Powdered color pigments are mixed with the
varnish. It is sold in different colors like green, yellow, blue and red. Enamel is used on wood
that is not exposed to the sun or rain because it easily fades.
There are two kinds of enamel
1. Gloss enamel – give sheen and has an attractive effect on wood.
2. Non-gloss enamel- does not give any sheen, but it beautifies wood.

6. Lacquer
Lacquer is another kind of varnish made of melted cotton tinters, gum, or chemicals. Like
enamel, lacquer comes in different colors.