Liming - A Finish for Wood

by Patty Lee

Traditionally, this process is carried out on oak. The purpose of the process is to emphasize the full beauty of the wood's grain. It involves filling all the surface pores and grain lines so that they show up in sharp contrast to the wood. This filling makes the wood a good deal smoother than if it had been left untreated. The lime and water paste partially bleaches the natural yellowness out of the wood, leaving it a gray-brown.

Lime does not react well to being sealed. Liming is only really effective on woods that have an open surface. Lime is a caustic substance and can damage your skin so wear rubber gloves when working with it.

Prepare the wooden surface to be limed, making sure that it is clean and free from dust. Mix .9kg of hydrated lime in 3.5L of water until it resembles a stiffish paste. Using a coarse cloth or steel wool, rub the paste into the wood. Use a circular motion when rubbing to ensure that all the surface pores and indentations are filled.

When the lime is semi-dry, wipe off any surplus with a cloth, wiping across the grain. When the lime is thoroughly dry, smooth the surface with the fine grade sandpaper. Remove the residue filler with fine steel wool, then wipe with a clean cloth. To finish, apply a coat of white French polish followed by a white wax polish.

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