Japanese Wood Burning

Japanese wood burning

Myth #3 – Species: Many species work for making shou sugi ban. Any species can be burned with varying degrees of success and appearance. But for several reasons only cypress (often colloquially called cedar) is used exclusively for shou sugi ban in Japan.

How long does shou sugi ban wood last?

Benefits: Durable and long lasting: the life expectancy of shou sugi ban is estimated at more than 80 years when properly maintained.

What wood works best for shou sugi ban?

Traditionally Japanese cedar, also known as Shou wood, is used for Shou Sugi Ban because of its ability to achieve a deep burn. However, there are many different types of wood you can use to get the charred finish of Shou Sugi Ban. ... Common woods used for Shou Sugi Ban are:

Cedar.
Spruce.
Pine.
Oak.
Hemlock.
Maple.

What oil should I use for shou sugi ban?

To complete the shou sugi ban tung oil process, apply liberal amounts of Pure Tung Oil or Outdoor Defense Oil to the charred surface and then allow it to soak in and dry.

Do you have to seal wood after shou sugi ban?

Charred timber, also called Shou Sugi Ban or Yakisugi, is a time-honored Japanese tradition of burning and treating the wood with oil that improves longevity and appearance. Though the resiliency of charred timber is greater than untreated wood, it is still advisable to seal any wood that will be used outdoors.

Do you need to sand before shou sugi ban?

A technique that really makes stain shou sugi ban pop is sanding with 220 grit sand paper in areas you want to pull out some of the natural wood look. The ideal spot is to find where the grain bends. Sand these spots lightly to pull out the natural wood so that you have the contrast of stain to char to natural.

How often should I oil shou sugi ban?

Typically you will not need to perform any additional maintenance on burnt wood or even re-apply oil for at least 10 to 15 years.

How do you prepare wood for shou sugi ban?

What Is the Shou Sugi Ban Process?

Source your wood. If you're based in North America, seek out western red cedar, southern cypress, basswood, or another softwood.
Burn the surface of the wood. It takes time to build up a reliable and artful burning technique. ...
Remove the outer char from your planks. ...
Apply a finish.

Does shou sugi ban make wood waterproof?

By Wood Haven | April 01, 2021 The short answer is that Shou Sugi Ban does not waterproof wood on its own, charring wood does not make it waterproof. That said, you can still treat Shou Sugi Ban to be more water resistant so it is protected and longer-lasting - while maintaining its unique appearance.

Can you shou sugi ban plywood?

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Can I use a heat gun for shou sugi ban?

There are several ways DIYers can do a Shou Sugi Ban finish. We can use a propane torch or a heat gun.

What is the difference between Yakisugi and shou sugi ban?

Is there a difference between Yakisugi and Shou Sugi Ban? For purists, Yakisugi refers to the original method using Japanese cypress and natural oils. Shou Sugi Ban describes a general method of burning wood combined with natural and synthetic oils.

How do you keep shou sugi ban dark?

We recommend refinishing the surface regularly per the finish manufacturer's recommendation. If the intent is to maintain a stable opaque black color, we recommend combining Shou Sugi Ban with a black tinted oil. This will also require regular maintenance.

Can you use cedar for shou sugi ban?

Hugh explained that cedar works best for shou sugi ban because of its natural chemical properties. “Cedar is a lighter, more porous wood,” he explains, and “there's a chemical component to it which makes it work better for this technique.

Can you use polyurethane on shou sugi ban?

Petroleum and plant derived polyurethane products are highly recommended for interior shou sugi ban. They provide a shine and protect the wood from dust, sunlight, and other factors.

Can you shou sugi ban red oak?

Oak – Is It the Right Material? Oak has a natural beauty that really shines in Shou Sugi Ban. In fact, oak's luxurious color and appearance make it a popular choice for all kinds of wood projects. However, it is not ideal for outside use because it is generally heavy.

Is Burnt wood waterproof?

Is Charred Wood Water Resistant? Once the timber is thoroughly charred, it is a wrapped in a layer of carbon that is formed within the burning process. This layer helps the timber become highly resistant to water compared to the raw timber and essentially renders the charred timber as waterproof.

How do you finish Japanese burnt wood?

The shou sugi ban process involves charring the wood, cooling it, cleaning by brushing and washing then finishing the wood with oil. Some burn each wood plank using a blow torch but the traditional method requires bundling three planks at a time into triangular tubes and lighting the interior.

Do you stain before or after wood burning?

Yes, you can stain over wood burning to add color to bring the wood's natural color and to get a polished surface that will last for a long time. Apply Gel stain over wood burning to finish the project. Use light color stains to distinguish the fine details in the wood-burning art.

Which is better linseed oil or tung oil?

Tung oil creates a harder, more durable finish than linseed oil. Tung oil is more water-resistant than linseed oil. Raw linseed oil takes significantly longer to cure than pure tung oil. Tung oil is generally more expensive than linseed oil.