Boiled linseed oil, shou sugi ban siding and burnt wood then use shou sugi ban oilWoodworking enthusiasts are always seeking new techniques to expand their already-considerable skill sets, and i such technique that utilizes natural wood is shou sugi ban. A shooting star in interior design circles circa 2021, this Japanese wood preservation technique brings out the beauty of individual woods pieces and confers the practical benefits of resistance to water and fire. So just what is shou sugi ban, why should you lot use information technology in your DIY projects, which woods exercise y'all use and how do you do it? Nosotros demystify the particulars of this woodworking technique below plus teach you how to seal with Pure Tung Oil.

The Art of Shou Sugi Ban

The term shou sugi ban translates to charred cedar board, and that concisely describes this woodworking technique. Also known as yakisugi, shou sugi ban consists of charring cedar boards, burnishing the burnt results with sandpaper and wire brushes and and so sealing the charred surface with natural oils such as Pure Tung Oil. While this method of preserving wood has become a trendy culling for indoor home decor, the Japanese have used shou sugi ban on Japanese cedar tree planks since at least the 18th century. When used as wood siding, their final results protected their homes' exteriors due to the waterproof, burn down-resistant properties.

Benefits of Shou Sugi Ban

Aside from mitigating damage from water and fire, shou sugi ban offers other benefits for DIY woodworking projects. This technique preserves wood and so the pieces retain durability over the years, and it provides an bonny terminate that fits well with a variety of decorative styles. Deeper charring results in a deep blackness wait with an alligator pare texture that meshes with numerous color schemes, and lighter charring brings forest grain to the surface for an attractive rustic event that fits well with farmhouse and lodge-style effects. Additionally, shou sugi ban works well for both pocket-size and large projects, making it equally suited to making tabletop candleholders, decorating wood frames and enhancing wood siding.

Ancient japanese technique to create a shou sugi ban product

Forest Used for Shou Sugi Ban

Traditional shou sugi ban utilizes cryptomeria japonica (Japanese red cedar) wood due to its porous structure. Manifestly, this forest isn't mutual in the United States, so woodworking enthusiasts commonly use high-quality North American softwood alternatives like Southern cypress, Western red cedar or basswood. If you can't get your hands on any of these woods or just want to experiment with what you take on hand, notwithstanding, common hardwoods such as pine, maple, oak and hemlock too work reasonably well for DIY shou sugi ban, though yous may not want to use your results for decking, siding or cladding projects.

The Shou Sugi Ban Process

Since you lot're going to exist dealing with immense heat, yous need a safe space to work through the shou sugi ban process — preferably outdoors. Working outdoors ensures infrequent ventilation and reduces the run a risk of smoke inhalation. If you're working indoors in a well-ventilated infinite, exist sure to move anything out of the way that has the potential to catch fire while you're charring your wood. Whether working indoors or out, brand sure to have a fire extinguisher handy but in case sparks fly and you need to quickly put out flames. When you've prepared your work area, gather essential supplies then y'all have everything close at hand. You demand the post-obit for this DIY woodworking projection:

  • Wood
  • Heat source
  • Wire brush
  • Coarse sandpaper
  • Finishing oil
  • Castor for oil awarding

Burning the Wood

Either an air compressorUsing the traditional Japanese technique of shou sugi ban requires loftier estrus intensity and extreme flame command. For these reasons, modern propane torches and blowtorches piece of work great for creating a charred wood surface via yakisugi woodworking. Set up your equipment, arrange the wood for the coverage you want and start called-for the wood with your rut source. Additionally, take actress precautions with piece of work wearable and wear condom glasses or a welder'due south mask as you piece of work.

Information technology typically takes 5 to 10 seconds of exposure for the wood to blacken and soot to develop one time y'all apply concentrated heat evenly over the surface. Watch the forest carefully as yous piece of work, and stop the burn when you run into the surface separate like logs in a fireplace. Go along in listen that the end grains usually burn down slower than the face grains, and then you may need to utilize more heat to those areas to ensure an fifty-fifty burn down pattern.

Brushing the Wood

The adjacent step in the shou sugi ban process is removing the charred wood from the very summit layer of your project. Nigh yakisugi woodworking enthusiasts do this past way of wire brushing, though some prefer using coarse sandpaper to remove the char. If you're using a wire castor, work in the direction of the grain, removing enough of the top layer to reveal the brown-black forest color characteristic of this wood-burning technique. If you want an alligator skin effect, keep the wire brushing or sanding to a minimum, but go on on to the wood-grain if you don't desire the ridges and bumps to remain apparent on the charred wood surface.

Cleaning the Forest

Earlier you apply a finishing oil such as Pure Tung Oil by the Real Milk Paint Co. to your project, you lot need to clean abroad whatever dust and debris leftover from the brushing step. To practise this, simply spray all the ash and dust away past using an air compressor or wipe the charred surface downwardly with a moisture cloth. If you clean the charred forest with a wet cloth, be sure to let the surface dry out earlier moving on to the shou sugi ban tung oil process.

Pure Tung Oil and Shou Sugi Ban

shou sugi ban technique on outer surface for flammable materials

Using Pure Tung Oil on shou sugi ban projects seals the surface of the wood for further preservation against the elements. Before yous begin, consider where you'll exist using or displaying your yakisugi woodworking pieces. For case, if you're building a coffee table, Pure Tung Oil on its ain gets the chore done, but if you're planning on using the cedar planks you char as wood siding or in outdoor furnishings, consider using our Outdoor Defense Oil. This option combines our Pure Tung Oil with pine oil and zinc for improved weather resistance. You can use any of our finishing oils, including Hemp Oil to seal your charred wood.

To complete the shou sugi ban tung oil procedure, utilise liberal amounts of Pure Tung Oil or Outdoor Defense Oil to the charred surface and so allow it to soak in and dry. Once you see how it covered the charred wood, apply a second coat, focusing your attending on dryer areas that may non have absorbed as much tung oil during the get-go coat. At this point, your yakisugi project is finished, though some woodworking experts suggest striking the finished surface with your propane torch or blowtorch once again to amend seal in the oil finish.

Shou sugi ban offers a unique alternative to traditional shiplapping when you want to create a characteristic wall and helps you craft rustic woodworking projects that grab attending. To continue your DIY yakisugi projects looking their best with frequent use and the passage of time, use our shou sugi ban tung oil procedure to ameliorate woods preservation and impart an attractive matte look to your finished results.

Call united states here: (800) 339-9748 to help you get started with your forest projection.