Expert's Corner — turbine

Here’s a way to operate a turbine without having to turn the turbine on and off between spraying steps. It’s best to have the turbine a little distance from the spray area, so here’s a really efficient and easy solution: plug the turbine into a remote control like the one pictured and turn it on and off from the remote in your pocket or hanging from your belt.

Preparation is a huge part of finishing. Failing to prepare the wood will surely lead to a bad finish no matter how good your equipment or coating. So let’s talk first about sanding. You must start with a completely dry piece of wood. If you have stripped it, let it dry, preferably overnight. Then give the wood a light sanding. We suggest 180-grit sandpaper, or any grit up to a 220 will work just fine. Anything finer will affect the ability of the stain to penetrate into the wood, especially on closed-grain woods such as maple, cherry, etc. Even if...