Is Rosewood good for furniture

Rosewood is any species of colorful timbers, mostly appearing in brownish with darker veining, but can also be seen in other colors. There are many species of the Rosewood tree, we have the Brazilian Rosewood, Indian Rosewood, and the Madagascar Rosewood, but every of the species is strong and heavy.

All Rosewood species are used worldwide to serve many purposes, with each faring better than the other on a specific purpose.  For example, the Brazilian Rosewood is the best of all the species for making a guitar. Hence, is the Indian Rosewood good for furniture? Or better for other purposes? or better as indoor or outdoor furniture? These and many other related questions are the focus of this article: so read on!

Is Rosewood good for furniture

Is Rosewood a good wood for furniture?

Yes, Rosewood is a good wood for furniture. Hardwoods are used widely for furniture making because they are generally strong and durable. The Indian Rosewood is also very durable and long-lasting, making them a perfect alternative for hardwoods.

Rosewood has a distinctive grain pattern that distinguishes furniture made with Rosewood from other furniture made from other hardwoods making them one of the most sought-after hardwoods in the furniture industry. Also, they are a great choice for carving and tolerate polish or finish, which makes them one of the best woods for living room and bedroom furniture.

Is Rosewood good for outdoor furniture?

Yes, Rosewood is good for outdoor furniture. Although Teak is usually the most popularly used wood for making outdoor furniture because they have natural oil that makes them highly resistant to pests and weather. However, Rosewood, especially the Indian Rosewood when kiln-dried (dried in the oven) becomes a very hard natural wood that can be used for outdoor furniture.

Is Rosewood furniture good quality?

Yes, Rosewood will make good quality furniture. During the Ming and Qing dynasties of China, Rosewood which is also known as Huali was the popular choice for making luxury furniture for its exotic appearance, durability, and distinctive grains. Nowadays, they also remain one of the top choices for furniture making because their texture cannot be easily scratched or dented.

Is Rosewood furniture heavy?

Yes, Rosewood furniture is heavy. Just as rightly stated in the second paragraph of this article, all rosewood furniture is heavy. In general, rosewood is heavy, hard, high in strength, has 12% moisture content, and easily sinks in water.

Does Rosewood furniture smell?

Yes, Rosewood furniture smells. Apart from the general characteristics stated earlier that are common to all Rosewoods, they also have a powerful sweet roselike smell that can remain for a long time. This smell is so strong that it can be perceived from furniture that is over a hundred years old.

How much is Rosewood furniture worth?

The prices of Rosewood furniture carry from one maker to the other so I can’t give you the precise value. However, a single bed made with Madagascar Rosewood is worth more than a million dollars.

Can Rosewood furniture be painted?

Yes, you can paint Rosewood furniture. The woods of Rosewood are usually high in oil content and you may have to remove the original finish or polish on its surface and wipe it down with any lacquer thinner or Acetone before priming and painting. Check below for a detailed explanation of how to paint your Rosewood furniture.

How to paint Rosewood furniture

If you would like to paint your Rosewood or make it darker, make use of tung oil and black leather dye. Check below for details on how it can be used.

  1. Get 150-grit sandpaper and use it to lightly sand the surface of the Rosewood furniture.
  2. Make a homemade dye from the mixtures of 4 parts of tung oil and 1 part of the leather dye in a bucket or bowl.
  3. Cover all surfaces you do not wish to paint with masking tape and apply the dye on the Rosewood furniture with a paintbrush.
  4. Once you finish painting leave the paint on the wood to dry.

How can I tell if my Rosewood furniture is real?

Real Rosewood is almost identical to mahogany and they can be easily mistaken for each other. Below are some signs that differentiate a true Rosewood from other woods.

  • Real Rosewoods smell like flowers (Rose)
  • They are usually heavy and have white or fine black rings.
  • The woods of Rosewood are dense and therefore, cannot be scratched easily.
  • True Rosewoods have a substantial amount of resin and that is why sometimes the process of gluing and finishing is usually difficult.
  • True rosewoods are dense and heavy, and therefore, they don’t easily throw out their moisture content.

What oil to use on Rosewood furniture?

The best oil to use for your Rosewood furniture finishing is linseed oil. This is because the linseed oil will enhance the colorful mess of your Rosewood furniture. Also, it can protect your furniture from scratches as well as changes in humidity by soaking deep into the grain of the wood.

How do I clean Rosewood furniture?

Rosewood furniture is usually sightly, and cleaning them regularly is the least maintenance you can do for them if you want their beauty to remain for years. Listed below are the simple steps to follow to keep your Rosewood furniture clean always.

  1. Soak a towel or washcloth in warm water and wipe on the Rosewood surface to get rid of obvious debris or stains. If there’s none, start immediately with step 2.
  2. Get a feather duster and use it to dust the Rosewood surface to eliminate all dirt before you start to polish.
  3. Dip a soft cotton cloth in furniture polish and rub it on the Rosewood surface in a circular motion with little pressure so that the polish can penetrate the wood.
  4. If there’s any hard-to-reach surface on the furniture, apply the polish with a soft-bristled brush.
  5. Use a microfiber cloth to polish the Rosewood surface. This will help get rid of excess furniture polish that dust can easily stick to.

How to restore Rosewood furniture?

The best way to restore your fading Rosewood furniture is by treating it with wood because they soak deeper into wood pores compared to pigment satin. After applying the dye, all you have to do is coat the surface with 2 to 3 subsequent wiping varnish and follow up by sanding the surface with 400-grit sandpaper. This will help seal in the color.

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