Bangkirai wood, which has the scientific name Shorea Maxwelliana , found in rain forest in borneo / kalimantan island.
Bangkirai wood is a kind of heavy wood with a average dried weight of 750 - 950 kg/m3. The janka hardness reaches 750-800, 7.620 N and has a bending strength of 1100 - 725 kg/m3 and a pressure strength of 650 - 425 kg/m3. With a strength class level I/II, bangkirai wood has the strength to withstand the load well, in both direction, either parallel to the wood grain, or perpendicular to the wood grain.
With the level of durability class I / II, when bangkirai wood placed in direct contact with moist soil can last 8-5 years, if the wood is not protected against wind and climate but protected from water, it can last 15-20 years. When the wood placed in a place which is protected from wind, weather and water (for example indoors), endurance is unlimited. Bangkirai wood is resistant to insects and fungi, nor is it eaten by termites.
Because bangkirai wood is proven to be very hard, very strong in weight bearing, very durable, and resistant to insects and fungi, it is often used as raw material for making wood jamb, door, window, parquet, flooring, wall panel, ceiling panel, stair, moulding, bridge construction, etc. Visualy, bangkirai wood often has hair cracks appear easily on the surface, pinholes are often found. Generally these hair cracks and pin holes can be covered with wood fillers. Structurally, this pin holes do not reduce the strength of the bangkirai wood itself. Because of its strength, bangkirai wood can withstand the load well, so it is often used for heavy construction materials such as wooden roofs.
The color of bangkirai wood is redness and yellowish sometimes accompanied by yellow highlights.. Because cracks often appear hair, bangkirai wood should not be recommended for finishing solid color paint, because the original color is not as dark as merbau, bangkirai wood can be finished with additional wood stain in either light colors or dark colors.
Bangkirai Wood Grain
Bangkirai Wood Finishing Options
Bangkirai wood can be finished by using a water-based finishing system, or solvent-based finishing system as follows.
1. Acrylic Water-based Finishing (transparent and solid color water-based)
Water-based finishing is an environmentally friendly, odorless, non-toxic paint that is easily applied with a spray or brush evenly, also easy to repaint. Because of its excellent resistance to ultraviolet light, this finishing is suitable for use in interiors and exteriors. Besides being weather resistant, this finishing is also resistant to mold and insects. Acrylic water-based finishing has good adhesion to the surface of the wood, seeps into the wood pores and is quite elastic, so that the wood will not easily peeled off. The last / top coat of finishing can be selected with the choice of doff / matt or gloss appearance.
There are two types of color in this acrylic water-based finishing system: transparent colors and solid colors. In case of bangkirai wood, we recommend using transparent wood stain( light or dark color). Meanwhile, if you choose not to use any color / type of wood stain , then the final appearance of the bangkirai wood color will look like the natural color of the bangkirai wood, just apply the final layer: clear doff / matt or clear gloss only then.
1.1. Transparent Wood Stain (visible wood grain )
1.2. Solid Color Wood Stain (invisible wood grain)
Bangkirai wood has brittle properties, so when adjusting to the environment it often appears smooth hair cracks on its surface. When a solid color paint finishing system applied, during the adjustment period, soon later, it will appear smooth hair cracks. It is advisable not to use finishing system.
2. Melamine Solvent-based Finishing (transparent color solvent-based)
Melamine finishing is a two-component wood finishing system with low formaldehyde content so it is relatively odorless and less poignant in the eyes. This paint has a low level of yellowing tendency, and a good level of scratch resistance, has a matt or glossy look, hard and thick coating, and resistant to water and household chemicals. This finishing system still has good transparency so that it can show the authenticity of the wood grain. The last coat / top of finishing can be selected with the choice of doff / matt or gloss appearance.
Melamine finishing has very high transparency properties. Below is a choice of wood stain that can be applied to bangkirai wood, either light or dark colors are available. Meanwhile, if you choose not use any wood stain color then the color of the bangkirai wood will look like the natural color of the bangkirai wood, just apply the final layer : clear doff / matt or clear gloss only then.
2.1. Choice of Transparent Color Wood Stain (visible wood grain )
3. Paint Finishing (solid color solvent-based)
Paint is a nitrocellulose-based auto refinish lacquer paint that is dry, fast, has high glossy visual and is available in a variety of durable color choices. This paint finishing system also has excellent adhesion and durability to be applied to wood. Beside applied to wood, this paint is also known as a painting system on vehicles, machinery, iron and steel. The last coat of paint finishing can be applied with a matte / doff or gloss top coat finished.
Bangkirai wood has brittle properties, so when adjusting to the environment it often appears smooth hair cracks on its surface. When a solid color paint finishing system applied, during the adjustment period, soon later, it will appear smooth hair cracks. It is advisable not to use this finishing system.
