Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash
Pallet wood makes for some very versatile projects. You can create an outdoor swing, a coffee table, bar stools, and more, depending on your time, dedication, and imagination. Whether you’re a veteran crafter, a woodworking hobbyist, or a beginner, there are some steps to take before you tackle your pallet project.
Sanding
If you’ve picked up a pallet before, you know there are hundreds of wood slivers just waiting to dig into your skin. This probably isn’t the smooth, finished wood you were imagining as a statement piece in your home. This is one reason it’s important to sand. Sanding wood smoothes the small splinters and imperfections away so it looks nicer, and allows paint and other finishes to seep into the wood and stay.
Tools
If you are doing a small project or working on some finishing touches, you can use a sanding block or single sheets of sandpaper to manually rub away any impurities. However, for larger projects, you will want to use an electric sander to simplify the process and make it faster. Some types of sanders are random, orbital, or belt. If you plan on doing a lot of larger projects, you might consider investing in a nicer one, but a cheaper one will still get the job done.
Paper
The type of tool you get may influence the paper you choose, so make sure to look at the price of both the tool and paper before completing your purchase. The sandpaper uses a grit system to grade how finely the paper will sand. The higher the number, the finer the grit. Coarser grit sandpaper should be used for large projects where the wood needs to be completely redone–like wood floors. Finer sandpaper can be used to clean plaster from wood or removing varnish. You might even start using coarse sandpaper and moving up to finer paper to achieve a truly smooth piece. If you’re looking to finish your pallet, ensure you use the right sandpaper for paint to get a smooth paint finish on wood.
Finishing Techniques
Be sure to use a waterproof type of finish if you plan on keeping your project outdoors or around water.
Painting
Once you’ve sanded down your pallet, you may want to wipe it down with a wet cloth to remove any dust. If you are choosing to paint your pallet, using a primer first will help create an even finish, but, skipping this step is okay if you are going for a more rustic, weathered look.
Staining
Please note, stains are not a finish. They are a coloring technique to change the color and look of the wood. Some wood takes stains differently and pallets are often a blend of different woods, so you may want to practice on a scrap piece of wood before staining your entire project. After you’ve stained the wood to your specifications, you’ll want to add a coat or two of varnish to seal the color and create a smooth surface.
Oil Finish
If you appreciate a natural wood look, you may want to use an oil finish. The oil will fill any cracks and defects while restoring the natural color of the wood. With a pallet, this can look very interesting since different woods are blended together. However, oil won’t give you the glossy look that varnish or lacquer would create and you’ll want to keep your project inside, away from water, as an oil-finished wood is still susceptible to water damage.
Once you’ve decided on how you’ll sand your project and the finish you’ll use, you will be ready to start creating your pallet masterpiece; and if you want to purchase used pallets for an up-cycle project, contact Challenger Pallet & Supply to see their inventory.