Finish off a shelf

If you use unfinished pine for shelving and want an attractive finish, use hessian or rough canvas sheets to wrap around the shelves and apply a stain and sealer in your choice of wood tint.

 

conn brattain

YOU WILL NEED:

Unfinished pine shelves (you can also cover melamine or chipboard)
Hessian or woven grass cloth (you can also use rough canvas fabric)
Tape measure
Scissors
Bosch Tacker or staple gun
Pencil
Sealer
Paint brush
Rubber gloves

 

CONTINUES BELOW

 

 

HERE'S HOW:

1. Lay the shelf on top of a piece of the fabric and wrap around the shelf until it overlaps 30mm and trim to size. Staple the cloth to back edge of shelf.

2. Fold over the short ends of the shelf and wrap as you would a present; staple, making sure to tuck in all the raw edges.

3. Mix the wood stain and sealer together well and brush over the cloth covered shelf. Wear gloves for this part of the project as it can become a bit messy! Rub the sealer into the cloth fibres with your fingers.

DIY Tip:
Use rubber kitchen gloves and not latex or disposable gloves as these will break apart during the rubbing process.

5. Leave the shelves to dry completely before re-hanging.