Refined brushing for high-end wine racks

Light brushing before oiling ensures even absorption and a consistent, high-end finish on all visible sides.

Key principles behind the achieved results

Control over the final finish

Each oak plank is fully exposed in the final product, requiring a flawless finish on every surface.

Even absorption

Brushing creates a uniform surface, allowing oil to be absorbed evenly and preventing a patchy appearance.

Simple process

A compact setup ensures efficient processing, perfectly suited for small-scale production.

The challenge

The customer produces high-end wine racks from oak planks, with all sides visible in the final product. When applying oil, it became clear that sanding alone was not sufficient. The oil was absorbed unevenly, resulting in a patchy finish, especially when using pigmented oils. For a premium product, this level of inconsistency was not acceptable.

The approach

Instead of changing the oil, the focus shifted to improving surface preparation. By lightly brushing the wood before oiling, a more uniform surface was created, allowing for even absorption. A compact machine with a working width of 600 mm was selected, enabling one or two planks to be processed at the same time. A key feature is the side brush at the infeed, allowing the top surface and one side to be brushed in the first pass. After rotating the plank, the second pass completes the remaining sides. Extensive testing with different brushes, speeds and rotation directions ensured the desired result.

The result

The result is a simple and controllable process that delivers consistent, high-quality finishing. Oil is absorbed evenly across all surfaces, eliminating patchiness and creating a uniform appearance. The workflow remains efficient and manageable for a small-scale operation, while meeting the high standards of the premium segment.

“By adding a brushing step, we gained full control over the finish. The difference in consistency and appearance is clearly visible.”

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