What is Cerused Oak? Cerusing is a wood finishing technique that involves the application of whiting and rubbing the whiting into the grain of a wood, then hand waxing it. Cerusing adds contrast in order to highlight the beauty of a wood’s grain, typically oak.
What is a cerused wood finish?
What is a Cerused Wood Finish? Cerusing, or liming, is a wood finishing technique that creates a two-toned look, where the open grain of the wood is accentuated against a contrasting base color.
What does cerused oak mean?
Cerused oak and design. This term is used to describe a unique finishing technique that showcases the beautiful wood grain without causing any damage to the wood itself. Ceruse was a white lead-based pigment, which after proving to be toxic to the skin was repurposed in the furniture industry.
What kind of wood can you ceruse?
Which woods can you ceruse? Cerused wood is also known as cerused oak or limed oak because it’s often found on this species of wood. Oak’s highly visible grain makes it one of the surfaces for the finish. But you can ceruse any open-grained hardwood (i.e., those with large pores) such as mahogany.
What is Art Deco cerused wood?
Cerused wood (also known as aged, limed or gray oak) first rose to popularity in the Art Deco era (1920s to 1930s), but the technique is actually way older than that—like 1500s Europe older. (It was first used in France to prevent oak beams from rotting.)
How do you get a Cerused oak finish?
The cerused effect is achieved by applying Oil Plus 2C over your base color. Choose a color that contrasts the base color and apply over the top. Oil Plus 2C - Provides color and finish to finalize the cersued look.
What color is Cerused?
whiteWhat is cerused wood? Ceruse—a white lead-based pigment—first made history in the 16th century as a cosmetic for European high society before it ever wound up on furniture.
What is Cerused white oak?
Adding the technique known as "Ceruse" refers to applying a white fill material to a natural door, and then wiping it off on the open grain of Oak, creating a cabinet finish with an aged look that is on-trend for today's design schemes.
How do you seal Cerused wood?
Using a very stiff wire brush to scrape out the softer areas of the wood grain. Apply 1-2 coats of water based stain or paint of your choice as the basecoat. If using a white paint for the cerusing, add a thin layer of water-based polyurethane with a brush.
Is Cerused wood toxic?
What Is Cerused Wood? Ceruse is a white lead-based pigment first used in 16th century Europe. It was originally used in cosmetics as a skin whitener. However, this was found to be toxic due to its lead content and was banned from cosmetic use.
How do you make black Cerused oak?
Apply Citristrip liberally.Make samples! Don't do this directly on a piece you care about. ... Strip and clean: First, we need to strip off that varnish. ... Raise the Grain. While the wood is still damp, scrub lightly with a brass brush. ... Light Sanding. ... Dye the Wood Black. ... Seal the surface: ... Seal the finish.
What is the difference between liming wax and white wax?
Liming works best on either open grained wood such as oak, pine or ash but it also looks great on ornately carved furniture where the white wax will settle in the crevices and give a soft worn look (like antiquing with dark wax but cleaner and more gentle).
Can you ceruse over stain?
Once the base stain is down, you'll apply your cerusing material. This might be a water-diluted paint, or it might be actual liming wax. Apply the material with a rag, massaging the paint or wax to push it into the open pores and grain of the wood.
What can I use to ceruse wood?
4:4215:03Watch What Happens When I CERUSE 11 different kinds of wood!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we're getting ready now to glaze i'm going to just use a sanding a staining sponge to glaze.MoreAnd we're getting ready now to glaze i'm going to just use a sanding a staining sponge to glaze. Because this is a flat surface. And we don't have any crevices to get in typically i glaze with a brush
What does Liming wax do to wood?
Liming Wax is specially formulated to protect your finishes and give them a pop of sophistication. Use it to create a beautiful white-washed finish or to lighten vibrant paint colors into lighter tones and pastels.
How do you pronounce ceruse?
0:010:21How to pronounce ceruse - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipServirse seguros se ve usted seguros se huele.MoreServirse seguros se ve usted seguros se huele.
Do you have to strip wood before liming wax?
You will need to remove any existing finishes before liming, so that means varish, paint, stain – and previous wax coatings will need taking off.
What is the difference between liming wax and white wax?
Liming works best on either open grained wood such as oak, pine or ash but it also looks great on ornately carved furniture where the white wax will settle in the crevices and give a soft worn look (like antiquing with dark wax but cleaner and more gentle).
When was limed oak furniture popular?
The limed oak effect became popular in the Art Deco era and was pioneered by French interior designers Jean-Michel Frank and Austrian furniture maker Paul T. Frankl. In the '50s, the look was widely imitated by contrasting a whitened grain against a black stain rather than a light one.
Can you paint over Liming wax?
You can paint over it with One Step Paint, and you will have a new, fresh surface, over which to apply the Liming Wax™.
What is limed oak?
Definition of limed oak : oak that has been treated with a lime paste rubbed into the grain to give it a special finish.
What is cerused wood?
Ceruse—a white lead-based pigment—first made history in the 16th century as a cosmetic for European high society before it ever wound up on furniture. So when it was repurposed by craftsmen into a decorative finish for wood, the technique was dubbed cerused wood. The resulting weathered white finish muted the original color ...
How to ceruse bare wood?
If you want to ceruse painted wood that’s currently a shade of white, use a wood stripper to strip the wood, then either ceruse the bare wood or stain the wood and then ceruse it. • Lose the hardware.
How does it compare to similar DIY wood finishes?
Cerused wood can be used as an alternative to whitewashing or bleaching, two wood finishes that similarly lighten and brighten wood while accentuating its grain. The simple brush-and-buff technique used to ceruse wood is the simplest, least messy option. Meanwhile, whitewashing requires diluting paint in water before application, and bleaching entails neutralizing the applied finish with vinegar and water.
What is liming wax made of?
Liming wax, sold in brands such as Briwax ( available on Amazon; $19.49 ), consists of liming paste and a wax made of petroleum, beeswax, carnauba, or shellac. Waxes made with the latter three ingredients are more natural options with lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared to petroleum-based waxes. Liming wax is most commonly sold in the ...
How much does liming wax cost?
However, you’ll usually pay a higher price for liming wax (anywhere from $15 to $20 per 8 ounces at craft or home stores) compared to supplies for the other finishes ($2 per 8 ounces for basic white paint or $0.40 to $1.00 per 8 ounces of bleach). Photo: istockphoto.com.
What color is liming wax?
Liming wax is most commonly sold in the color white —which you should choose to mimic the classic white cerused look—but it can also be found in neutrals such as black or gray, which can be used to create a more modern or dramatic look. • Pick your wood wisely.
How long does it take for wax to set on a coat?
Let the coat become tacky (slightly sticky but starting to set, which can take at least 10 minutes depending on the wax), then gently buff the waxed section with large, sweeping motions of a dry cloth or rag; this will remove the excess wax while some white pigment remains in the grain.
What is Cerused Wood?
Ceruse was a white lead-based pigment , which after proving to be toxic to the skin was repurposed in the furniture industry. It has the ability to mute the original wood color while at the same time emphasize the texture of it’s grain. The results were amazing and have continued to be used in the design world. Cerused wood is available in multiple furniture styles, including headboards, tables, lamps and of course, cabinets both kitchen and bathroom. The best part is that the toxic lead ingredient has been removed, and now contains a liming wax which is a mix of clear wax, white liming paste and paint.
What wood is used for cerused effect?
While this technique can be used on any wood that has a visible grain, some wood species are more suitable than others. Oak is the number one choice of wood when in comes to doing the cerused effect as it has a heavy grain markings and very open pores.
Who uses Ceruse on oak?
But today, it is once again enjoying a renaissance, thanks to its use by top designers like Kelly Wearstler and Jefferey Alan Marks, who have both used it to great effect.
What wood is best to ceruse?
How to Ceruse Wood (DIY) Oak is considered the best wood to ceruse because it’s pourous and has a heavy grain, but any hardwood will work!
How to apply Cerusing wax?
Apply the cerusing material, either a water diluted paint or liming wax . Apply with a rag, massaging the wax into the open pores and wood grain.
What is a cerusing?
Cerusing is a wood finishing technique that involves the application of whiting and rubbing the whiting into the grain of a wood, then hand waxing it. Cerusing adds contrast in order to highlight the beauty of a wood’s grain, typically oak.
When was ceruse used in furniture?
The use of ceruse as a finish for furniture was first popularized in the Art Deco era when the iconic French designer Jean Michel-Frank employed it for some of his well known pieces, like this original shown below, which are now bringing top prices at auction houses around the world.
Who designed the limed oak kitchen?
Some call it a limed oak kitchen. It was designed by NYC based Robert Schwartz of St. Charles Kitchens.
Can you saw oak at a mill?
Oak can be sawn at the mill in several different ways. This graphic below will help you understand the differences.
What is a Cerused Wood Finish?
Cerusing, or liming, is a wood finishing technique that creates a two-toned look, where the open grain of the wood is accentuated against a contrasting base color.
What wood species are used for cerusing?
Cerusing is best accomplished using ring-porous wood species. It is the larger pores of the springwood (aka earlywood) in ring-porous wood species that allows for contrasting colors to be left behind in the deeper pores. Examples of ring-porous woods are: Red Oak. White Oak.
How to sand wood to make it look smooth?
1. Prepare the surface. Sand the surface smooth. We recommend sanding wood up to 120 grit (150 grit on furniture is acceptable) but don't go finer as that closes off the wood grain making absorption of the finish difficult. Optional: Wire-brush the wood to open the grain even further.
What is pre color easy?
Pre-Color Easy - Provides an intense and uniform color.
What is the difference between quarter sawn and plain sawn wood?
Plain-sawn planks exhibit the most pleasing and dramatic effect (showing a “flame-like” pattern following with the wood grain), while quarter-sawn wood shows a much cleaner and straight effect.
How long does it take for oil plus 2C to cure?
This means temperatures at least in the 65-70F range, relative humidity around 50%, and plenty of air movement. Cooler conditions or very high relative humidity will extend the dry and cure time. Oil Plus 2C may be carefully handled after 24-36 hours and is 80% cured in 48 hours. Full cure is achieved within five days.
How to get cerused effect?
The cerused effect is achieved by applying Oil Plus 2C over your base color .
What is cerused wood?
Instantly recognizable for its grayed and grainy finish, cerusing is a treatment in which you take wood (or faux wood) and coat it in special wax to fill in the grooves, achieving a look that’s worn but still polished. Cerused wood (also known as aged, limed or gray oak) first rose to popularity in the Art Deco era (1920s to 1930s), ...
When was cerused wood first used?
Cerused wood (also known as aged, limed or gray oak) first rose to popularity in the Art Deco era (1920s to 1930s), but the technique is actually way older than that—like 1500s Europe older. (It was first used in France to prevent oak beams from rotting.)
Is cerusing a solid?
While cerusing is a solid (pun intended) option for floors , beams and wall paneling , household furniture has also taken a turn with the treatment, from dressers to side tables and everything in between. And then there’s our personal favorite use: rustic-chic kitchen cabinetry.
What is a cerusing finish?
It’s called Cerusing Finish (or sometimes Limed Finish), and basically it’s a process of rubbing a contrasting color into the pores of wood to highlight the patterns of the wood grain. Although, I often see this type of finish with Oak, it works well with many types of wood including mahogany or cherry.
How to ceruse wood grain?
Wir e Brushing The Wood Grain. The key to a good cerusing technique is in the wire brush. Using a very stiff wire brush like this one and working in long strokes that go with the wood grain, you can see the pores open a tad bit. The real key is brushing in the direction of the wood grain and using good pressure.
What is the easiest wax to use?
The first, and easiest, is using liming wax. ( This is the liming wax brand I most use ). There are some great tutorials on how to use liming wax. For a low or medium traffic piece such as a side table or dresser, I prefer liming over cerusing. The process is slightly easier and you have a bit more control with layering the wax.
Can you use oak with cerusing?
I have read several tutorials and experimented until this worked for me best. Although oak is usually used with cerusing, I actually much prefer other woods such as cherry or maple. Above is the table we started with. The finish was clearly coming off and scratched all over, although the scratched didn’t extend into the wood itself.
Can you use white paint for cerusing?
Next, I used a very light stain for this. Because I am using a white paint for the cerusing, it will lighten the overall look of the stain a little bit after applied so keep that in mind when choosing the stain and color. I then put a thin layer of polyacylic on it to make it easier to buff the excess paint off. The extra layer of poly was to ensure that the stain did not bleed into the cerusing paint. If you are cerusing a painted piece of furniture, you can skip this step.
What is ceruse finish?
Ceruse is a type of decorative finish that involves using different colored pigments to highlight a wood’s natural grain pattern. Though the end result looks remarkably painstaking and elegant, applying ceruse yourself is actually a fairly straightforward project.
What is ceruse used for?
Ceruse can be applied to any type of hardwood furniture, flooring, cabinet, shelving or even trim. Because it’s such a versatile finish, it makes a great way to spruce up old, humdrum wooden items and give them some contemporary flair.
How to smooth out wood?
If you have access to an automated sander, it can be a big help for removing leftover bits of finish and smoothing out the wood. Run the sander lightly over the surface, buffing the grain to an even depth. You’ll now have a nice level base to start with.
How to open pores in wood?
Brush the wood with a wire brush. Run the brush along the length of the wooden surface , making sure to go with the grain. You’ll need to brush vigorously in order to properly open up the pores—don’t be afraid to really dig in. Work from one end to the other, applying the same amount of pressure all the way across.
How to remove varnish from wood?
Use a soft-bristled brush or blower to clear away dust. Sanding is also a great way to remove the finish from varnished wood so you won’t have to bother with messy, noxious chemical strippers. ...
Why does stripped wood expand?
Adding moisture to the stripped wood will cause the grain to expand, helping it stand out after being buried beneath a sealed finish for so long.
How to clean old wood?
Unless you’re starting with an unfinished piece of wood, you’ll first need to remove any paints and sealants that are already in place. Use mineral spirits or a chemical wood stripper to eat away at the existing finish. When the original wood has been uncovered, wipe it down with a mild soap solution.
