Firstly, if the bark is fine I do not remove it. In this case the bark was slightl;y moldy and covered in unsightly lichen and moss not conducive to an indoor environment. I remove the bark with a rubber mallet (with an added sock to cushion the blow) and a large screw driver being careful not to split the wood itself.
This is how it looks with the bark completely removed. If the stump is slightly damp it comes off fairly easy, as opposed to when it's dry and brittle, it will come off in chunks.
My second stump had nearly perfect looking bark, so I left it on. I have made one with bark on before, and they can look just as stunning after if you poly coat the stump and get in the nooks and crannies. But that stage comes later. :)
My third stump is one gnarly looking mothertrucker. But I bet in the end this one turns out to be one of my favorites this go-around.
Take them to a dry warm place to air out if they are still damp. This starts the next phase of my process.
Now starts the drying process. I also save the bark and dry that out as well. This is very useful if you have to fill in pieces later on other stumps (which I did have to do on the skinny stump seen above!)
After a few days (or a week if necessary, all drying times are different but mine were fairly dry after a few days in the sun) I use a rasp: a metal file (you'd be surprised how many times I get asked, "What the F@#! is a rasp?"). I remove all the dirt and top coats of wood. This also roughly shaves down the inconsistencies in the wood grain and leaves an easier work surface for sanding.
Now the sanding fun (hell) begins. This can be an arduous process in itself. It takes a long time, but be patient and use the proper grit sandpaper. This will help immensely. Remember that sand paper works like this: the lower the grit the rougher the paper. I use 60 grit, then 80, then 120. 12o grit is the finest I go on these stumps if I want to later do some more paint or stain application. I still want the finished piece to look rustic AND a fine art piece.
Finally it is sanded to perfection (or at least what this guy calls done.)
Starting with the skinny stump, I cut off the branch piece sticking out. I thought it looked aesthetically unappealing, so as my artistic perogative I removed that son of a branch! I also added pieces of the bark I saved to fill in where necessary using wood glue and tiny finishing nails. I actually used rusted nails I haver saved thorughout the years to more seemlessly blend in with the natural wood color.
I then go through each stump and decide on either a stain that will complement the wood grain. Or I simply polyurethane the stump if it has great coloring all by itself. Adding poly will help protect from water and dirt, plus it adds a deeper richer tone to the natural wood grain. (To see if you want to add stain or just poly, wipe the wood with a wet cloth and that will give you a sense of the wood with polyurethane).
This is left natural with a few coats of polyurethane.
Since my stain was oil based, I used an oil based poly in a semi-gloss to give a slight sheen.
I then add legs, or metal casters seen here. Pick these bad boys up at Home Depot or Menards for a measley $3.50 a piece.
Voila! It is finished. Hopefully you all liked this little tutorial and to see my process. I have many more coming. Please like and share if you do!
