Finishing

Panelling should be treated with a sealing finish to provide protection from soiling, moisture and minor damage.

The ultra fine machined surface on all Tilling profile panelling is ready for application of any surface coating - no need for sanding, however a light sanding with a fine grit paper is usual before applying the second finish coat. Always sand by hand for best results, never use a power sander and always sand along the grain of the timber.

Finishing Equipment

Good quality 75mm paint brush, extra fine carborundum paper (not glass paper) and a good supply of lint-free cloth. Also turps if using a polyurethane type finish.

Caution

As well as being a most serviceable and popular finish for timber panelling, polyurethane and the new acrylic based clear coatings are also a most effective adhesive. If you decide to use either of these finishes, it is essential to avoid excessive use of coating at the tongue/groove junctions of adjacent boards. Careful "well brushed-out" application will decrease the risk of board-to-board bonding which restrains the normal timber movement experienced over climatic changes and could result in surface cracks or splitting of some boards.

The best way to avoid the possibility of board-to-board bonding is to apply an initial finish coating to both sides and the tongue/groove edges of each board prior to installing (allow the finish to dry first).

This practice is the recommended procedure when planning to install solid timber panelling in rooms subject to humidity such as bathrooms, kitchens, spa rooms etc., as it effectively seals the timber on both faces and prevents moisture pick-up by the back of the boards which could cause them to swell and shrink with moisture changes leading to unsightly surface splits, cupping etc.

Another way to minimise board-to-board bonding is to always install horizontal or diagonal panelling boards with the tongue facing upwards.

The Decorator Touch

To soften the raw timber look of clear finished panelling and to blend in with soft furnishings, carpets, furniture etc. and overall decor, a range of timber stains, such as liming white, is available from companies that specialise in finishes for timber. It is essential that after applying a coat of stain or tint, the excess be wiped off in the direction of the grain. Allow the stain to dry (according to directions) before applying the clear top coating. By mixing particular stain colours, it is easy to obtain several pastel colours such as pale grey, dusty pink, light blue/grey and so on which can transform the natural timber appearance, particularly with figure grained boards. Always experiment with offcuts to obtain the desired stain result before applying to the whole wall or ceiling.

Maintenance

Only minimal maintenance of timber panelling is necessary. Occasional light brushing of coated surfaces will remove dust and clear acrylic finishes may be sponged clean with mild soapy water. Panelling boards in high traffic areas such as hallways and rumpus rooms may need re-coating every 2-3 years - simply wash the board surface with a mild detergent in warm water, let dry and sand lightly with very fine sand paper and apply a coat of the original finish product.